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the Detective; 

' OR, THE MBRTIN MYSTERY SOWED. 

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THE MABTIN MYSTERY SOLVED. 


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THE PEERLESS SERIES, No. 38. Issued Monthly. May, 1891. $3 per year. Entered at New York 
Post-Office as second-class matter. Copyright, 1890, by J. S. Ogilvie. 


Copyright, 1891, by J, S. Ogilvie. 






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New York: 

J. S. OGILVIE, PUBLISHER, 

57 Rose Street. 


; 6 ' 











HARRY BLOUNT, 

THE DETECTIVE; 

OR, 

THE MARTIN MYSTERY SOLVED. 

BY T. J. FLANAGAN. 

o 

CHAPTER I. 

It was a beautiful May morning- -the more espe- 
cially in that part of Lancashire, immediately sur- 
rounding Hanley Hall, the magnificent residence of 
Mr. St. George Stafford. Yet Mr. Stafford — though 
an ardent lover of nature, sat down to breakfast, on 
this particular morning, with a frown on his brow. 
He was expecting an important letter, and the mail 
had been delayed — hence the frown. 

Just as the coffee was brought in, the mail arrived, 
and with the receipt of the expected letter the frown 
vanished; to be replaced by an expression of sur- 

( 3 ) 


4 


HAEKY BLOUKT, 


prise, as Mr. Stafford noticed an envelope bearing an 
American stamp, and curiosity led him to open this 
first. 

It was not a long letter, and when he had finished, 
he found his wife and daughter, whose attention had 
been attracted, looking at him inquiringly. 

Addressing the latter, a pretty, dark-eyed girl of 
about nineteen, he said, with great gravity : 

“Well, Kate! You can prepare to receive your 
husband — to be — at almost any minute I This letter, 
mailed only two days prior to his departure from New 
York, informs me that he is coming to claim you.’’ 

“ Why, papa 1 What do you mean? ” 

“ Why, George 1 What do you mean ? ” 

The astonishment expressed in the tones, and 
depicted in the features, of his “ women folks,” as he 
called them, was too much for Mr. Stafford. He 
could no longer retain his gravity, and burst into a 
hearty laugh. 

Mrs. Stafford looked perplexed, Kate pouted, and 
as this only served to increase Mr. Stafford’s merri- 
ment, it was with difficulty he replied : 

“ I mean exactly what I said : Kate’s future hus- 
band may arrive at any time to-day or to-morrow I ” 

Mrs. Stafford looked still more perplexed and rather 
serious, while Kate looked exceedingly curious. 


THE DETECTIVE. 


5 


Come, George ! ” said Mrs. Stafford. “ Don’t tease 
poor Kate ! Tell ns what this means — I’m sure I 
cannot understand you ! ” 

“ Well, my dear, I will relieve the terrible suspense. 
You. of course, remember my old partner Hall. 
Poor Dick is dead and gone, but a better friend or 
truer man never lived I But, no matter. When we 
decided to give up business, and had wound up all our 
affairs, we — that is, you and I and a little girl we 
called Kate — spent tbe night before we left New 
York for England at Dick’s house. Well, Hall had 
a little boy, and he and this little girl of ours were 
great friends; and, as they played about the floor, 
Dick made some remark about it being a pity to 
part them ; that it was probably their last night 
together — something of that sort. I, never dreaming 
he would take it seriously, said that we had better 
betroth them, as was done with children in olden 
times ; but Dick seemed taken with the idea, and — 
well, the upshot of the matter was, that you, Miss 
Kate, and that little boy, were engaged before we left 
the topic, and although your mother and Mrs. Hall 
sat only a few feet away, they knew nothing about it. 
I looked upon it as a joke, but poor Dick apparently 
took it in sober earnest ; for next day, as he bade me 
good-bye, he put a ring in my hand — ‘ For the little 


6 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


one,’ he said, and showed me the mate of it. He’s 
dead many a year, poor fellow ; but his son is still 
living, and appears to be ready and willing to fulfill 
his part of the contract.” 

Mr. Stafford finished with a sly look at Kate, caus- 
ing her to blush furiously, although she laughed 
merrily. 

“ What a ridiculous idea ! ” she exclaimed, while 
Mrs. Stafford, looking very serious, asked : 

“ Is this really true, or are you still jesting ? I can 
scarcely credit what you say.” 

“ Quite true — even to the ring Kate is now wear- 
ing ! ” and Mr. Stafford pointed to a pretty little ame- 
thyst on his daughter’s finger. 

Mrs. Stafford no longer doubted the story. She 
looked troubled, and during the remainder of the 
meal remained very quiet. Not so the father and 
daughter, who carried on a merry war — Kate declar- 
ing she was not at all curious, and certainly not anx- 
ious to see and scouting the idea of a ready-made 
husband, while Mr. Stafford kept teasing her on 
these points. Yet, when she retired to her room 
immediately after breakfast, and looked at her reflec- 
tion in the glass, she did “ wonder what he was like.” 

It was a beautiful form, and a face not only beauti- 
ful, but ^§seritiall^ good^ that she gazed upou, aud any 


THE DETECTIVE. 


7 


he might be proud to have a claim upon it ; but she 
was accustomed to the features before her, and not 
especially interested in any man. So wasting no time 
upon either, she set about that mysterious perform- 
ance (to men) known as “ changing her dress.” This, 
at all events, must be a matter requiring time, for a 
full half-hour had elapsed when she appeared before 
her father in the library, arrayed in full out-door 
costume, and with a saucy smile invited his criticism, 
adding as she swung round before him : 

“You can now see how curious I am to behold 
him!” 


8 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


CHAPTER II. 

Despite the fact that her ‘‘ betrothed ” was liable 
to arrive at any minute, Kate started immediately 
after breakfast to visit a friend — one Jennie Fleming, 
living about ten miles from Hanley Hall — and did not 
return until evening. Passing the parlor door, she 
saw her mother in conversation with a strange gentle- 
man, and at once surmised it was the expected visitor 
from America. 

As her pony was in good condition and anxious to 
go, she had given him his head on the way home, and 
the road beiog rather muddy, she arrived in a bespat- 
tered condition — although looking decidedly the better 
for her rapid drive. 

Kate would have gone on to her room to make 
herself “ presentable,’’ but for her father, who came 
from behind, and before she could object she was 
being introduced to “ Mr. Harry Hall.” 

Standing before her “ betrothed,” Kate looked very 
charming in her embarrassment, and Mr. Hall could 
not altogether conceal his admiration. 

He was quitQ a handsome fello’W’ of about twenty. 


THE DETECTIVE. 


9 


three, tall and slender, sported a moustache of the 
most approved style, and dressed in exquisite taste. 
A cool, elegant fellow was Harry Hall, and before a 
week had elapsed Kate found herself thinking more 
about him than she would have cared to acknowledge. 
What particularly pleased her was his refraining from 
hinting, in any way, at the “ betrothal.’^ Mr. Hall, 
however, was too good a general to make any such 
mistake — he knew how to wait. The French say — 
‘‘ Everything comes to him who waits,” and it soon 
became evident to Mr. Stafford that, unless something 
unforeseen happened, his old partner’s son would carry 
out his father’s wishes, and carry off Ms daughter. 

It is, however, the unforeseen which usually does 
happen, and one afternoon Kate upset the little boat 
in which she was in the habit of going rowing. 

The boat, built for herself, was just large enough to 
hold one person, and Hall, who now accompanied her 
almost everywhere, had to be content with walking 
along the bank. 

They had traversed but a short distance, when, in 
answering some remark of Hall’s, one of the oars 
slipped from Kate’s grasp. In the instinctive move 
to recover it, she upset the boat, and sank, with a loud 
scream for help. 

Though but thirty feet away. Hall made no effort 


10 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


to assist or rescue the drowning girl. He stood on 
the bank as though rooted to the spot. Great beads 
of perspiration stood on his brow, and he wrung his 
hands in agony — none the less great for its silence. 

Almost every one fears some particular being or 
thing more than any other. In Hall’s case it was 
water ; he had a perfect horror of it, in bulk, and for 
that reason could not swim a stroke. 

It would have been all over with Kate in a minute 
or two, had not a passer-by, attracted by her cry for 
help, come to the rescue. Taking in the situation at 
a glance, he plunged into the stream, and, from the 
very impetus of his spring, reached the fast drowning 
girl. 

An ordinary man would have found it no easy task 
— burdened as the rescuer was with all his clothes, 
and the weight of a strong, healthy girl — to reach and 
scramble up the bank unaided ; but the stranger man- 
aged to do so, and with a contemptuous smile asked 
Hall if the lady was known to him. 

Like one awaking from some horrible dream. Hall 
replied that he did. 

“ Show the way then- — quick ! ” was the command, 
and Hall leading the way at a rapid pace, they quickly 
reached the house. 

Stafford, who was rather nervous, was not 


THE DETECTIVE. 


11 


present when the party entered ; but the family phy- 
sician, who lived near by, fortunately was ; and taking 
charge of Kate, ordered the stranger to change his 
clothing. 

“ Come with me,’* said Mr. Stafford. “ There’s spme 
clothes up-stairs which, I think, will just about fit 
you ; ” adding as he laid them out before the stranger, 
“ They belong to my nephew, but Fred was in such 
hurry to get away to Australia, he wouldn’t wait for 
the tailor to finish them. Eegular Carden temper ! ” 
What ! Fred Carden ! ” exclaimed the stranger. 
“Yes! Do you know him ? ” 

“Quite well, sir. And you, I presume, are Mr. 
Stafford, whom I promised Fred to call on. I had 

not intended to do so to-day, but — ” 

“But,” interrupted Mr. Stafford, “in saving my 
daughter’s life, you were forced to do so 1 And now 
tell me to whom are we so deeply indebted ? ” 

The stranger appeared confused for a minute or two^ 
even irritated, and when he answered, spoke alm6st 
angrily. 

“My name, sir, is Martin — Eichard Martin — and 
I will feel very grateful, if you will allow me to 
try how my friend’s clothes will fit me 1 ” and thus 
shutting off Mr. Stafford’s thanks, and promising to 
qome down and “take something ” as soon as possible, 


12 


HARKY BLOUNT, 


Mr. Martin proceeded very leisurely with the chang- 
ing of his clothing. 

So this is Fred’s pretty cousin,” he said, after Mr. 
Stafford had gone. “She must have been quite 
young when he left.” 

Mr. Martin took so much time, between his thoughts 
and his dressing, that Kate was in the drawing-room 
when he descended, looking a little pale and decidedly 
interesting. 

He was introduced to everybody, and everybody 
attempted to thank him, and failed — except Kate, 
who said nothing, but looked a great deal. 

“ So you know Fred ? ” said Mr. Stafford, finding it 
impossible to get in a word of thanks on the subject 
of the accident. 

“ Quite well, sir, and as I told you, he wished me 
to call on you, to let you know that physically and 
financially he is doing well. And now, (taking out 
his watch), if you will excuse me, I will go, as it is 
possible that news may await me in London which 
will compel me to leave at once for America,” and 
with a promise to return shortly if he remained in 
England, Mr. Martin took his departure. 

Shortly after Hall made his appearance. He was 
immediately besieged with questions by Mrs. Staf- 
ford, and two ladies who had come home with her ; 


THE DETECTIVE. 


13 


but on being informed that Kate knew nothing about 
what had occurred after the boat upset, and that the 
rescuer had positively declined to talk about the 
matter, wisely said that he, too, must decline to talk 
about it — he felt too much upset himself. 

He certainly was pale and nervous, and the ladies 
kindly forbore further questioning ; but Hall did not 
like the momentary smile which played about Kate’s 
mouth while he was making this explanation. 

At the table that evening, Mr. Stafford was full of 
praise for Mr. Martin, and rehearsed all he had 
managed to get out of him on the way to the station 
— which was very little — but Kate made one remark 
which surprised all present, and startled her mother 
and father. 

“ Did you notice, papa ? Mr. Martin wore a ring 
exactly the same as mine ! ” 

“By George! Kate, I believe it is the same! I 
did notice it as we shook hands at the station — it 
looked so oddly familiar, I could not avoid noticing 
it.” 

The story of the rings not being known to the 
other ladies present, nothing further was said on 
the subject. Mr. Hall was not present, having an 
engagement in town, and thus missed something 
which might have interested him. 


14 


HARKY BLOUNT, 


CHAPTEE III. 

When Mr. Stafford retired from business in New 
York, and came back to England, be was very wealthy. 
He purchased quite an estate with the greater part 
of the money, and was living on it at the time our 
story opens. 

Few men can retire from active business life and 
settle down to a quiet, humdrum existence ; and, 
although such had been Mr. Stafford’s ideal life dur- 
ing his business career, he soon began to speculate — 
at first successfully, but later disastrously. 

In his efforts to regain what he had lost he gradu- 
ally sunk deeper and deeper in the mire, until at 
length the entire estate was mortgaged. The interest 
on some of these mortgages was coming due about 
the time Eichard Martin had come upon the scene, 
and as he was not quite ready to pay it, Mr. Stafford 
intended to go to London, and ask the attorney to 
whom he made his payments for time. There had 
been no difficulty about this previously, and he antici- 
pated none now. He announced his intention of 
going, one morning at breakfast ; but as his family 


fHE DETECTIVI2. 


15 


were in blissful ignorance of the existence of any 
mortgages on tbeir liome, lie gave them to understand 
that he was going to attend a stockholders’ meeting. 

Breakfast, over Mr. Stafford . strolled out with his 
pipe and Hall to keep him company, and sat down 
under the trees near the spot where Kate had been 
upset. 

They were hardly seated before Hall said : 

Mr. Stafford, I don’t exactly know how you look 
upon that compact between yourself and my father, 
but I promised my father when only a child to keep 
my part. When I grew older, and realized its full 
significance, I must confess I looked upon it as non- 
sensical, and I came as much from curiosity as any- 
thing else, but now — now ” 

“ Proceed, Mr. Hall.” 

“ Well, now — if you have no objection I should be 
only too happy to make your daughter my wife.” 

“ None whatever — provided Kate is willing. Have 
you spoken to her ? ” 

“ No, but with your consent I will now.” 

Kate was coming toward them, and Hall went to 
meet her. He led her away to a seat nearer the river, 
and as Mr. Stafford returned to the house he saw 
Hall bending over Kate, who appeared to be paying 
great attention to what he was saying. 


16 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


“ It was a very fortunate idea — not a foolish one,” 
muttered Mr. Stafford, as he gazed at them, “ for 
unless I can get both time and money we may not 
be here long.” 

He left shortly afterwards for London, and had 
been gone a half hour when Hall returned alone. 
He had an unpleasant expression on his face, and when 
informed of Mr. Stafford’s departure, said he must go 
to London also ; that he had intended to accompany 
Mr. Stafford thither, but had forgotten the time. 

On reaching the station, he sent the following 
despatch to Jones & Jones, No. 9 Queen Street, London. 

S will ask for time. Give none. 

“ Belden.” 

Mr. Hall smiled wickedly as he handed this despatch 
to the clerk, and seated himself in the train in some- 
what better spirits than he appeared to be when he 
reached the station. 

When Stafford arrived in London, he proceeded at 
once to the office where he paid his interest and was 
conducted to the private office of the senior member 
of the firm of Jones & Jones. 

Before Mr. Stafford could explain the nature of 
his business, Mr. Jones began : 

“ Well, Mr. Stafford, I suppose you’ve come to pay 
off that five thousand. You are a little ahead — two 


THE detective. 


17 


days, I think — but we will be all ready. In fact, if 
you can wait a short time — Eh I What’s the matter ? ” 

“ Pay it off ! Why, I thought — that is, I under- 
stood that there was no need — no danger of my 
having to pay the principal as long as the interest 
was paid up. I understood it was trust funds — your 
partner so informed me when making the loan.” 

“ But the mortgage has changed hands, Mr. Staf- 
ford,” replied Mr. Jones, “ and the new mortgagee 
must have prompt payment of the interest.” 

He was feeling for the key to the telegram which 
lay upon his desk and now found it. 

“ That is just what brought me here. Formerly 
I have had no trouble in obtaining a little time, and 
I hope I shall have none now.” 

Mr. Stafford was terribly excited, and the lawyer 
really pitied him, although he replied : 

“ I can promise you none, Mr. Stafford. Indeed I 
have positive instructions to foreclose whenever the 
interest is not paid promptly.” 

With a weary sigh Mr. Stafford arose, and bidding 
Mr. Jones “ good-day,” passed into the street. 

An hour after he left Mr. Hall arrived, and pro- 
ceeded at once to Mr. Jones’s private office. Fully 
an hour elapsed before he arose to depart, closing 
the conversation with, “ Do nothing further until 
2 


18 


HAERY BLOUKT, 


you hear from me — I will telegraph you when to go 
ahead.” 

From the solicitors’ office Hall proceeded rapidly to 
a tumble-down building in the worst quarter of Lon- 
don. Another hour was spent there and he emerged 
with the same ugly look on his face which it had 
worn during the forenoon. It was nearly dark and 
he passed unnoticed through the crowded alley, where 
a stranger usually excited considerable and not 
always pleasant interest, and was soon at the station 
and a few minutes later on his way to Manchester, 
from whence the ride home was but a few minutes. 

It was nine o’clock when Hall arrived, and he was 
surprised to find Mr. Stafford had not returned. Mrs. 
Stafford not feeling well had retired, and Kate was 
invisible, and so Hall betook himself to the refuge of 
the lonely library, to await Mr. Stafford’s arrival. 


THE DETECTIVE. 


19 


CHAPTER IV. 

When Mr. Stafford left the solicitor’s office he did 
not go directly home. His mind was too disturbed — 
he despaired of being able to raise immediately the 
money to pay even the interest, for his rents would 
not be due for some time, and then other interest 
would be due. He had one ,or two friends in the 
city, and with the hope of obtaining some relief 
through them, he spent the afternoon in trying to 
find them, and finally left London only a short time 
after Hall. 

Mr. Stafford was thankful that neither of the mem- 
bers of his family met him on his return, and being 
informed that Hall was in the library, he sought dis- 
traction from his thoughts there. His own desperate 
circumstances caused Mr. Stafford to remember their 
conversation of that morning, and after a few minutes 
he asked what had been the result of Hall’s inter- 
view with Kate. 

“ Very unsatisfactory. Your daughter appears to 
have taken a sudden dislike to me. I had reason, as 
I believed, to think I had found favor in her eyes, 


20 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


but it appears I was mistaken. I am sorry for it, 
botb on my own account and yours ! ” 

“ Sorry for it on my account ? ” 

“ Yes, Mr. Stafford, on your account, because IVe 
just learned from my attorney, Mr. Jones, that a mort- 
gage which I have instructed him to convert into 
cash as soon as it becomes due, is on your property. 
Indeed, I should not be surprised to learn that I hold 
other mortgages on this property.” 

“What! You hold the mortgages on this prop- 
erty 1 ” exclaimed Mr. Stafford. ‘‘And did you not 
know this until to-day ? ” 

“No — I assure you I did not. You see, although 
an American, I was educated here, and returned again 
after my father’s estate was settled on my coming of 
age. As I was traveling more or less all the time, 
I gave Mr. Jones a power of attorney and he invested 
my money as he thought best. Of course, if I were 
your son-in-law, the mortgage could stand as long as 
you wished — forever for that matter, and that too, 
without interest.” 

“ And Kate refused you ? ” asked Mr. Stafford. 

He was looking thoughtfully into the grate fire. 
What a difference that answer made to all of them ? 

Hall was watching him sharply, and appeared to 
be studying his reply before saying : 


THE DETECTIVE. 


21 


“ Yes — but I think her decision could be reversed 
if you would use your influence — and it would be 
decidedly to your advantage to do so.” 

The menace contained in the last words was quite 
plain to Mr. Staflbrd. 

“ I shall certainly advise Kate to accept your oSer ; 
but that is as far I shall go — she must do as she 
pleases. 

“ Yery well,” said Hall rising, “ I will make another 
effort and trust to your influence for success.” This 
last with a significant look as he left the room. 

When he was alone Mr. Stafford began to pace the 
floor, talking to himself. 

“Poor Kate! She little knows what her refusal 
means. It is plain enough, that if it is ‘ no ’ to-morrow 
from her, it will be beggary the next day for us. 
Beggary! Beggary! The place will not bring a 
penny more than the mortgages — and what can I do ! 
An old man like myself can get no employment, and 
I have not fifty — no, not twenty pounds in my 
possession! My God! What shall I do ? I can’t 
ask the poor girl to marry the man — to sell herself, if 
she dislikes him.” 

Hall returned to the library just then, and after 
taking a book from the case, said : 

“ Suppose you come up to my room^ Mr. Stafford ? 


22 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


I have some fine old port I should like you to try, 
and as the ladies are out you might as well spend an 
hour with me as not.” 

Mr. Stafford did not care particularly where he 
went or what he did that night, and went up-stairs 
with Hall. 

The latter was mistaken in saying the ladies were 
out. Scarcely had they left the room when Kate, 
looking very pale and troubled, but also very deter- 
mined, made her appearance between the curtains of 
the large bay-window, where she usually spent her 
afternoons reading. It was her favorite spot, and 
fitted up specially for her use. 

“ Poor papa ! ” she murmured, “you need not worry 
if my consent to marry Mr. Hall will save you.” 


THE DETECTIVE. 


23 


CHAPTER Y. 

Kate did not make her appearance next day until 
breakfast was over. Just as she came down, Hall 
entered the library with a paper — Kate followed. She 
was very pale, but looked very determined. 

“ Mr. Hall,” she said, toying nervously with a paper- 
cutter, “I have reconsidered the offer which you 
made me yesterday, and, if you still wish it, I am 
willing to — to — ” (the paper-cutter snapped in two) 
“ to become your wife.’^ 

Hall looked at her curiously for a moment. He 
felt certain her father had not spoken to her, and 
attributed her agitation to any but the true cause. 

‘‘I am glad, Kate — I may call you Kate? ” She 
bowed but did not look at him. “ I am glad indeed I 
For I love you, Kate, as I never believed man could 
love woman ! ” 

There was sincerity in the simple words and in the 
tone of his voice. He came over slowly — he felt half 
afraid of her now — and pressed his lips to her fore- 
head just as Mr. Stafford entered. 


24 


HAERY BLOUNT, 


“ Mr. Stafford, I am liappj to be able to tell you 
Kate has relented. She has consented to be mine ! ’’ 

There was a ring of genuine pride and exultation in 
Hall’s voice and — well, everybody loves a lover, and 
notwithstanding an unpleasant remembrance of the 
previous night, Mr. Stafford said heartily : 

“ Well, my boy, I’m glad you are out of your agony,’’ 
adding in a jesting tone which caused Kate to shudder, 
“ Has the day been fixed? ” 

“ Not yet, but it might as well be done now ! Come 
Kate ! Name the day ! ” 

By way of reply Kate fell back on a sofa. The 
strain was too great and she had fainted. Hastily 
summoning Mrs. Stafford the men adjourned to Hall’s 
rooms. Both were honestly surprised at Kate’s 
agitation. 

“ Had you spoken to her ? ” asked Hall. 

No, I have not. I had intended to, but it seems 
to be unnecessary.” 

During the remainder of the day Kate was invisible, 
and next morning both men started for London. Hall 
was generous in his happiness, apparently, for the 
object of the journey was to relieve Mr. Stafford of all 
further strain for the present, in regard to the mort- 
gage and interest then coming due. 

It did not take long to transact the business in 


THE DETECTIVE. 


25 


London, and after dining together, the men parted, 
Stafford starting for home, and Hall, having further 
business to transact, remained in London. 

Hall’s “business” during the afternoon, did not 
appear to be very pressing, as he spent the time drink- 
ing and playing billiards. Just about dusk he quit 
playing, paid his score, and after taking a parting 
drink, left the place. 

His destination was the same tumble-down rookery 
which he visited on his previous trip to London. It 
had begun to rain during the afternoon, a drizzling, 
misty rain, with the regulation fog accompaniment, 
and no one would recognize in the man in the big 
rough coat and slouch hat, the collar of the one turned 
up and the brim of the other pulled down, the elegant 
and natty Mr. Hall. 

Entering the house after a rapid though useless 
glance behind, useless because he could not see ten 
feet behind him. Hall ascended to the second floor. 
His knock was answered by a miserable looking old 
man, who peered cautiously at him through the partly- 
open door. 

“ Bah I Why, you fool, do you suppose if it was 
the police you could keep them out ! ” and pushing the 
door open Hall entered. 

The old man — ^he was certainly seventy — locked and 


26 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


bolted the door again, and then following the exanaple 
of his visitor, sat down. 

“Now then,” said Hall, opening the conversation, 
“ you promised to have a copy of this Carden’s will 
the next time I called, which was to be to-night. 
Have you got it ? ” 

The old man shook his head in the negative and 
Hall asked angrily, “ Why not? ” 

“ Thought I’d be a fool to trust anyone else ’n I 
can’t do it myself — that’s why.” 

“Well, how do you suppose I’m to trust you? 
Do you want me to buy a pig in a poke ? What 
kind of property is this? Why hasn’t some one 
tried to find this Carden’s relatives? ” And having 
fired this volley of questions. Hall threw himself back 
in his chair and looked at the old man sharpljL 

“ Well, in the first place this ’ere Carden was a cur- 
ious kind of a customer. Kept away from everybody 
’n nobody knowed who ’e wuz or where he come 
from. When he died I happened to be the first to 
find him. I felt sure he had plenty of coin, ’n he 
had. There was some dust — not much — but he had 

nearly £20,000 in diamonds sewed in his belt ” 

“ How do you know ? ” interrupted Hall. 

“Because I seed ’em. I had just found these ’ere 
papers, an’ just as I wuz goin’ to undo the belt along 


THE DETECTIVE. 


27 


comes a crowd from the camp. It wos lucky I didn’t 
touch the dust — they’d a hung me sure ! The papers 
wos down my bootleg, but only the body wos stone 
cold, an’ they’d seen me in camp just afore, they’d 
swung me up anyhow.” 

“And you have — actually have these papers your- 
self? No third party business ? ” 

“ Yes, I’ve got ’em myself! Eight here ! ” 

The old man made an involuntary movement with 
his right hand toward his breast, but checked him- 
self instantly. It was too late, however, for Hall, who 
was watching his every movement, noted the action 
and said, with a malicious laugh : 

“ Eather an unsafe place, isn’t it? ” and before the 
old man could reply, continued : “ W-is there any- 

thing else besides these diamonds — and what became 
of them ? ” 

This question, asked simply to throw the old man 
off his guard, bore unexpected fruit. 

“The Government took charge of the diamonds, 
but there was a lot of land ’round Melbourne worth 
twice as much as them.” 

Hall had now learned all he wanted and more than 
he expected. 

“Well, you’ve been talking about this thing for 
py'er two years now, and it’s time I saw something 


28 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


to prove all this. What do you want for the 
papers ? ” 

“Five thousand pounds.” 

“Five thousand grandmothers! Why, you must 
be crazy 1 ” 

“Five thousand, and not a penny less,” returned the 
old man, firmly. 

Hall did not speak again for a few minutes. He 
looked thoughtfully at the old man as though con- 
sidering his proposition. The latter, ever since Hall 
had located the papers, had watched him suspiciously, 
and had moved his chair so that they sat directly in 
front of each other. His hands were thrust into the 
pockets of his loose sack coat, and Hall as he gazed 
at him, saw Ijjo butt of a pistol peeping from the right 
hand pocket. He had heard or read somewhere of 
the Australian trick of shooting through the pocket, 
and he smiled wickedly when he caught sight of the 
pistol. It may be that what followed would not have 
happened had he not seen it. 

The smile made the old man move nervously in his 
chair, and that recalled Hall. 

“ Well, since you will not take less, I suppose you 
must have the five thousand ; but what will you do 
with it, you, an old man, who may be dead in an 
hour? ” 


THE DETECTIV^3. 


29 


Hall’s face wore a perfectly devilish smile as he 
said this, and the old man felt anything but comfort- 
able. 

“ Look-a-here, Mr. Hall,” he said, nervously, “don’t 
you try to play any games on me ! ” 

“ Oh, nonsense ! Come ! Let’s- have some of that 
black bottle of yours! ” 

The host’s faith in his visitor’s good intentions was 
shown by his backing up to the closet, from which he 
took the black bottle referred to and a couple of heavy 
bottom tumblers — watching Hall all the time. The 
latter laughed at this — not a pleasant laugh by any 
means. 

“Why, man,” he said, “what are you afraid of? 
Do you think I would be foolish enough to shoQt you^ 
as I see you are prepared to do for me, to obtain these 
precious papers of yours ? ” 

The old man looked confused, but said nothing, and 
returned to his chair opposite Hall, to whom he 
handed the one glass which he filled. It was tossed 
off in an instant and extended for more, although tbe 
contents was brandy, stolen brandy. To a keen ob- 
server it would appear that Hall was nerving him- 
self for something desperate. His sn^ile was truly 
wonderful as he held forth his glass for refilling. The 


30 


HAREY BLOUNT, 


old man refilled it, and was about to fill his own when 
Hall said in a careless way : 

Those are not the papers behind you, are they ? ” 

There was nothing on the table behind the old man 
except a couple of newspapers, but he turned his head 
for an instant, and in that instant a pinch of white 
powder, scarcely enough to be perceptible to the keen 
eyes of youth, was dropped into his glass. 

“Gave you a scare, didn’t I?” said Hall, with a 
harsh laugh; then changing his tone : “Come! Drink 
up ! Drink my success 1 ” 

The old man filled the glass slowly— very slowly it 
seemed to the watcher, who was holding his glass to 
his lips, waiting for the other, and looking very 
excited. 

“ Drink I Drink 1 ” he repeated. 

The old man had the glass to his lips, but set it 
down. “ I won’t,” he replied, looking suspiciously at 
Hall. 

“ Then, d you, Ifil make you ! ” exclaimed 

Hall, dashing his glass to the floor, and in an instant 
he had a pistol pointed at the old man’s head, but 
suddenly recovered himself and restored it to his 
pocket. 

“ Blast you!” he said, in a quiet tone, although his 
eyes still blazed like coals, “ you would drive Job out 


THE DETECTIVE 


31 


of patience with your suspicions. Can’t you see plain- 
ly that I can’t get along without the information I may 
yet need in this matter ? It’s not my policy to harm 
you.” 

Picking up his glass and filling it to the brim, he 
continued : 

“ Since you will not drink your own, drink mine,'’ and 
apparently exchanged glasses, but kept his own 
nevertheless. 

Almost any third-rate juggler — any amateur with 
pretensions to sleight-of-hand — can perform the trick, 
but the old man knew nothing of juggling. He did 
know he was in dangerous company, and to please 
Hall he took the glass and drained it. 

“ Ugh ! Lord, how bitter ! Oh ! oh ! You devil, 
you’re ” 

“No more — no more, old man. Your time is up, 
although the trick came near failing.” 

The poor old wretch fell from the chair to the 
floor, striking his head against the table as he fell. 

For a few moments the. murderer was unnerved 
by his work. He sat pale and trembling in his chair, 
with his eyes averted from the heap on the floor, but 
the old man’s glassy stare seemed fixed on him. He 
seemed to feel it. His outstretched arms seemed 
grasping for him. 


82 


HARRY BLOHHT, 


In a little while he recovered himself, and grasping 
the bottle emptied it at one draught. Then he pro- 
ceeded to remove all traces of his presence. The glass 
he had used himself he put back in the closet, and the 
packet from which he had taken the pinch of pow- 
der he placed in the old man’s pocket. 

He now stooped over the body and took from an 
inside pocket a package of papers. A glance satisfied 
him that they were what he wanted. 

He next removed a money-belt which the old man 
wore, and after feeling of it smiled sardonically. “ I 
knew the old thief was lying,” he muttered. Some- 
thing had fallen from his person while removing the 
money-belt, but he was still too excited to notice it. 

Stepping quietly to the door, he opened it and 
listened. All was quiet in the house, and nothing 
could be heard but the falling rain outside. Shutting 
the door softly behind him. Hall stole down-stairs and 
out into the night — possessed of certain very valuable 
papers, a money-belt which he felt certain contained 
diamonds worth £20,000, and the brand of Cain upon 
his brow; and forever after, notwithstanding his great 
nerve and coolness, to be hunted either actually or in 
his imagination, and to be startled at every careless 
joke, and to run from shadows. 


THE DETECTIVE. 


33 


CHAPTER VI. 

It was nearly noon on the second day following his 
visit to London, when Hall arrived home. He looked 
worn and haggard, and Mr. Stafford, who happened to 
meet him, made some remark about his looking 
badly. 

Yes, Mr. Hall supposed he did look pretty bad ; he 
had been bothered most infernally with business 
affairs for the past two days, and now, to make 
matters worse, he was compelled to go to Dublin to 
close another important transaction. Mr. Stafford 
would oblige him by kindly explaining this to the 
ladies, as he had not a moment to spare, and must 
pack up and leave within an hour. 

An hour later Hall was at the railway station, look- 
ing considerably improved by a shave and change of 
clothing. 

On arriving at Liverpool he bought a ticket for 
Antwerp instead of Dublin, and seemed chagrined to 
find there was no steamer until next day. So much 
vent did he give to his annoyance that the attention 
of the booking-clerk was specially attracted to him. 

3 


i 


34 saesy 

When Hall left the booking-office a quiet looking 
little man with remarkably bright eyes entered and 
inquired Hall’s name and destination. It was given 
as Samuel Andrews, for Antwerp! The quiet little 
man, whom the usually very independent clerks 
treated with great respect, thanked them with a 
sweet smile, and then went to the nearest police 
station and consulted with the inspector, after which 
he sent several telegrams to London. 

The steamer sailed at noon next day, and from 
early morning the little man, who was by name 
Harry Blount, and by profession a detective, sauntered 
up and down the pier. As the time for sailing drew 
nearer he looked more anxious and doubtful, but no 
Hall appeared. Mr. Blount rubbed his nose reflectively 
as he watched the vessel steaming away, mumured 
something not very angelic regarding Mr. Hall, 
asserverated that he believed himself closely related to 
several distinct kinds of idiots, and then went back to 
consult once more with his friend the inspector. 

* ^ ^ * * • 

Kate Stafford was in the garden the evening after 
Hall’s departure, book in hand, but not reading. She 
was thinking of the man who had saved her life — a 
dangerous occupation for a young lady engaged to 


THE DETECTIVE. 


35 


marry another man. If she did give a thought to 
Hall it was of fear and dislike, for in a vague, unrea- 
soning way, she regarded him as the cause of her 
father’s, and in consequence, her own trouble. 

Hearing the gate shut she looked up, and the blood 
rushed to her face as she saw the man of whom sbe 
had been thinking coming toward her. Martin was 
accompanied by the quiet little man with the sharp 
eyes, whom he introduced as a gentleman desirous of 
seeing her father, and the three entered the house, 
where Mr. Blount was introduced to Mr. Stafford. 

Kate left them to change her dress, and it was curi: 
ous to see what care she took in selecting the pret- 
tiest. 

While she was absent Martin informed Mr. Stafford 
that Blount was a detective. 

“ He is anxious to meet Mr. Hall, and would like to 
know whatever you can tell him about that gentle- 
man’s whereabouts. You will oblige me very much 
by giving him whatever information you can.” 

Mrs. Stafford entered just at that moment, and was, 
surprised and delighted to meet Martin. Hot wishing 
her to be annoyed in the matter, Martin suggested 
that they had better leave Mr. Stafford and his friend 
to talk business, and they accordingly adjourned to 
the drawing-room where Kate soon joined them. 


36 


HAERY BLOUICT, 


Mr. Stafibrd was, of course, surprised to learn that 
his visitor was a detective, and more so that he should 
be looking for Hall. However, on being informed 
that Mr. Blount was desirous of finding Mr. Hall for 
the purpose of transacting an important piece of busi- 
ness, and that that gentleman had disappeared from 
his London address, he gave the desired information. 

“ Oh yes ! said ^Mr. Stafford, much relieved, “ Mr. 
Hall left very hurriedly yesterday on important busi- 
ness, to be transacted in Dublin.” 

“ So — Mr. Hall has gone to Dublin, eh ! ” remarked 
Mr. Blount reflectively. “ Hum — well, I’m obliged 
to you for your kindness. You see, the people who 
engaged me are very anxious to meet Mr. Hall again, 
and his disappearance from town worried them. Allow 
me to thank you again, and please say good-bye for 
me to Mr. Martin, as I must return at once.” 

He had his hand on the door-knob, when turning 
as though a new idea had occurred to him, he con- 
tinued : 

“Would there be any objection to my looking 
about Mr. Hall’s room ? It is possible I might find 
some cl — something which would enable me to put 
my people in communication with him.” 

“ No, I don’t know that there is any objection,” 
replied Mr. Stafford, slowly, and lejd the way to Hall’s 


THE DETECTIVE. 


37 


rooms. In one corner of the dressing*room stood a 
handsome desk, and after looking carelessly about the 
rooms Mr. Blount examined this carefully. 

Mr. Stafford stood looking on, hardly knowing 
whether or not to stop the searcher. To his relief, 
however, Mr. Blount stopped after pulling out one or 
two drawers — behind one of which he found a couple 
of empty envelopes addressed to “ Mr. Henry Hall, 
No. — Harley St., London. These had evidently been 
pushed out by other papers. 

After glancing at the address and making a mental 
memorandum of it, Blount said he would look no 
further. 

“We shall have to wait until Mr. Hall comes back 
or writes;^^’ he said, and took his departure. 

Going out he met Martin and the two ladies about 
taking a walk. 

“ Well, what luck,” asked Martin, who excused 
himself to the ladies and hastened to meet him. 

“ I’ve found his address in the city and it is there 
we must try for him.” 

“ Then you don’t believe in the trip to Dublin ? ” 

“ Not a bit. While so far there’s not a morsel of 
evidence against him, I’m morally certain he was on 
his way to Antwerp and thence to Amsterdam with 
those diamonds, and when he found he was followed 


38 


HAKRY BLOUNT, 


doubled back. Come up to-morrow and meet me at 
Bow Street at noon. Good-bye.” 

Martin spent a very pleasant evening with the 
Staffords. Their nephew, Fred Carden, furnished the 
topic of conversation for the evening, and it naturally 
brought Martin himself somewhat into the conversa- 
tion — and never had a narrator a more attentive 
and enthusiastic audience. 

Knowing nothing about the engagement between 
Kate and Hall, Martin, who from the day he had 
carried her home had found himself thinking more 
and more about her, now noted with pleasure her 
interest in everything he said concerning himself. 
It was not so much lack of interest concerning her 
cousin, as increased interest when he spokfe of him- 
self. 


THE DETECTIVE. 


89 


CHAPTER VII. 

‘‘Now for Harley Street,” muttered Blount, as lie 
alighted from the train in London, and though it 
was 9 o’clock, he did not despair of finding either 
his man or something about him. 

The motherly old lady who answered his sum- 
mons at the door, was very much like the house — 
old-fashioned, but eminently respectable. 

In the most innocent manner in the world she 
invited Blount into the sitting-room, but he did not 
accept the invitation until he had asked if Mr. 
Hall was at home, and she had answered that Mr. 
Hall had left town for a few days. 

This was a disappointment, but at any rate he 
would find out what she knew about his movements, 
and sitting just a little in the shade with the old 
lady just a little in the light, Blount fired question 
after question, until even unsuspicious she began 
to wonder what it all meant. Quick to note this 
Blount stopped, and thanking her left No. — Harley 
Street — very much puzzled and disappointed. All 


40 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


his theories were knocked to the winds by that 
half-hour’s conversation. 

According to the old lady, Hall had come home 
about 7 o’clock on the night in question, and had 
not gone out again. That she was positive of for 
he would have had to pass the open parlor where 
she together with some friends had remained until 
after 12 o’clock, and after that she and “ the girl ” 
had spent another hour putting things to rights. 
There had been a small party in honor of her little 
grandson’s birthday. 

* ^ * Hi ^ Hi 

The finding of the body was reported to the police 
by one of the inmates of the house — a woman, at 
1 A. M. She had come in late, as was customary 
with her, and had knocked at his door to ask for a 
match. Eeceiving no reply she turned the knob and 
entered. The light was still burning, and seeing at 
once he was dead she called some of the other tenants 
who notified the police. The body was not yet cold 
when they arrived, so that death must have occurred 
just prior to its discovery. The three other inmates 
of the house accounted satisfactorily for their move- 
ments that night, and the verdict of the coroner’s 
jury, next day, was ‘‘suicide.” 


THE DETECTIVE. 


41 


Blount, who had been detailed to look into the case, 
was, of course, present at the inquest. So, also, was 
our friend Martin, and, as he stood out in bold relief 
among the inmates of the alley, he at once came 
under the observation of the detective, who approached 
him and opened a conversation in his quiet, unas- 
suming way. 

“ Bather odd case, sir ! ’’ he said. “ If he had only 
waited a little while he would have gone naturally.’’ 

“ Yes — it would appear so,” replied Martin, looking 
at him curiously. 

“ Not interested I suppose — just dropped in through 
curiosity ? Oh ! I beg pardon ! I thought I had seen 
you before — you are the gentleman who called at the 
office several times about some missing documents, 
supposed to have been stolen by an old thief named 
Golden. Hope you’re not offended, sir ! It’s our bus- 
iness, you know, to know everybody at an affair like 
this.” 

‘‘ Not at all ! ” replied Martin, recognizing in Blount 
a man who had been very attentive to him when 
making the inquiries referred to. 

“ Heard anything yet, sir ? ” 

“ Not exactly — ^but I’ve found my man.” 

‘‘Found him ! ” exclaimed Blount, surprised out of 
his invariably soft, quiet tones. 


42 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


“Yes, — there he lies.” 

Blount’s business had accustomed him to surprises, 
but he could hardly realize that before him lay a man 
for whom Martin had offered a thousand pounds. 

“ Are you sure? ” he asked. 

“ Positive. Nothing was found upon him or in the 
room, I presume.” 

“ No, sir — that is, nothing of any account.” 

“ 1 thought not,” commented Martin. 

Something in the tone had struck Blount, but before 
he could speak the inquest had begun. They had 
moved outside during the conversation, but now entered 
the room where the inquest was being held. It was 
all over in a few minutes, and a verdict of “ suicide ” 
rendered. 

When the verdict was announced Blount, whose 
eyes had been roving over the crowd in a professional 
way, caught sight of a face which he recognized 
instantly, and he noticed with considerable surprise 
the look of contempt with which the owner of the 
face received the verdict. 

“ Well, well, Mr. daggers ! And what do we know 
about this ? ” and thus communing with himself, 
Blount slipped out before the crowd and waited at the 
entrance. To Martin, who followed him, he said : 


THE DETECTIVE. 


43 


“ Wait a minute and keep an eye on me please 
for ” 

The elite of Burn’s Alley began coming out just 
then and almost the first was Blount’s man. He was 
allowed to go as far as the corner of the street. 
Blount then tapped him on the shoulder and asked 
what he knew about the “suicide.” 

“ Nothin’,” replied the man, sullenly. 

“ Come now, daggers, if you will tell me all jon 
know about the case, I’ll see no harm comes to you. 
I mean about that last trick of yours. You know 
you’re wanted now, and badly too, at that ! ” 

“ Well, now. I’ll tell ye wot I’ll do. You come to 
‘ Blind Jim’s ’ to-morrow — no, night arter, ’bout ’leven 
or twelve, an’ I’ll tell ye wot little I knows an’ a ’ole 
lot I thinks.” 

“But you must tell me something now. Some- 
thing to work on for the next two days.” 

daggers considered for a minute and then continued : 

“ Look ahere, Mr. Blount ! It’s not safe for me t’ 
stand gabbin’ in this ’ere way, but I’ll tell ye wot 
you’ll do. Just find a chap called Hall. Tall, good 
lookin’ cove, ’n well dressed. Lives sommers about 
the West End. If ye don’t get ’im there, try down 
’bout Manchester, an’ keep yer eye on th’ docks.” 

With the last words daggers started ofi* suddenly, 


44 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


muttering something about the “ Inspector ’’ and 
Blount turning leisurely, looked up the alley and saw 
the cause of daggers’ sudden move. Inspector Prime 
and the coroner were coming down the alley. He at 
the same time saw Martin standing on the opposite 
corner. Joining him he said : 

“ Mr. Martin, I asked you to wait because you made 
a curious remark up -stairs. Yoa said you expected 
there would be nothing found on the body.” 

“ Perfectly correct, Mr. Blount. Find the papers I 
am looking for, and you’ve got the murderer of old 
Golden!” 

“ Phew,” whistled Blount. “ So you don’t believe 
in the suicide theory? ” 

Do you ? ” Martin stopped and faced him. 

“ Can’t say as I do. I did but — you saw my gen- 
tleman friend ? From what he told me and what you 
tell me, I don’t.” 

“ Well, the same amount stands for the papers as 
before. But what did you learn from your friend ? ” 

Blount informed him. The name and description 
fitted Hall so well that both started for Hanley Hall 
— with what result we know. 

On the way Blount showed Martin a small locket 
which he had found between the dead man’s shirt and 
vest. There was nothing peculiar about it — nothing 


THE DETECTIVE. 


to distinguish it from hundreds of others of a similai 
pattern, except that it contained the picture of a 
pretty young woman. 

Martin’s connection with Blount being explained, let 
us return to that gentleman. 

His theories, as he put it himself, were “ all gone to 
pot” — no hope* now but daggers, and he accordingly 
proceeded to “ Blind Jim’s.” 

“Blind Jim’s” was a resort of thieves, male and 
female, of the worst character, and when Blount 
entered everything came to a standstill. The singing 
and loud talking ceased almost instantaneously. The 
whisper went around “ Blount is here,” and each won- 
dered “ does he want me? ” 

The proprietor bowed obsequiously, and inquired 
after Mr. Blount’s health, and would “he have some- 
thing? Before Blount could reply daggers relieved 
the suspense by coming from the back room and 
joining him at the bar. 

“ Have you a room where we can have a quiet 
drink? ” asked Blount, of the one-eyed proprietor. 

“ Yes, sir ! Cert’nly, sir ! Here Mike” ! (to one of 
the waiters), “show the gentleman to the parlor! 
What shall I send ye, Mr. Blount ? ” 

“ Nothing,” replied Blount, shortly, “ and see that 


HARRY BLOUKT, 

you keep this den a little more quiet hereafter or 
you’ll rue it ! ” 

“Yes, sir! I will ” and as he passed out of hear- 

ing — “ D — you 1 I’d like to wring yer neck 1 ” 

Up-stairs Blount ordered a pot of ale for daggers 
and “ a little gin ” for himself and then settling 
back in his chair invited his companion to “ fire 
away,” which he did to the following effect. 

The old man, who was known to him as Gorman, 
had for several years been his best friend, and had 
often, after they had become intimate, hinted at the 
possession of a secret which would one day make him 
rich. Finally one day, about six months previous to 
the murder, he told daggers that he had found a man 
through whom he could convert his secret into cash. 
Later, and only shortly before the murder, he told 
daggers that he was beginning to be afraid of his 
man, “ and so,” said daggers in conclusion, “ he told 
me he had valuable papers which a chap named Hall 
wanted so he could marry the girl an’ get the tin. 
He didn’t know where she lived, but this ’ere Hall 
did, an’ it wos Manchester he got a ticket for every 
time.” 

This was daggers’ story and confirming his theory 
in every respect — yet how could he connect him with 
the crime ? The locket was the only thing he had, 


Me detective. 


47 


and that seemed worthless. Hall appeared to have 
had no intimate friends who would be likely to 
recognize it, or rather the photograph in it. Again, 
Hall, guilty or not, had slipped through his fingers 
like quicksilver 


48 


HAKRY BLOUNT, 


CHAHTER VIII. 

It was with great reluctance Martin left Hanley 
Hall on the morning after his visit with Blount, and 
equally reluctant were the Staffords to part with him. 

On arriving in London he found Blount awaiting 
him at the station. 

What’s up ? ” he asked. 

“ Nothing. Everything’s down, including your 
friend Carden, who is lying sick at the Bridge Hotel. 
He arrived last night. Better go to him.” 

‘‘ Carden here ! By George ! I must be off'! ” and 
hailing a cab Martin hurried away and was soon at his 
destination. 

He found his friend in an easy chair near the win- 
dow, looking pale and weak. 

“ Fred, old man I How are you ? What’s the 
matter? ” exclaimed Martin, shaking both his Hands 
warmly. 

“ Fred ” was a dark handsome fellow of about five 
and twenty, whose face beamed with pleasure on behold- 
ing Martin. 

“ Oh, Dick I I’m so glad you came I How did 


DETECTIVIl. 49 

you find me ? I want to get home as quick as possi- 
ble, and you must come down with me.” 

He had begun speaking in such a strange tone and 
closed so weak and wearily that Martin became 
alarmed. 

“ All right, Fred,” he said. “ Shall we start now ? 
There’s a fast train in twenty minutes.” 

“ Yes, let us go at once — my luggage can wait.” 

It was just 3 o’clock when they arrived at Hanley 
Hall, and twenty minutes later Martin was on his way 
back — glad to get away. 

There was great rejoicing over Carden’s return, 
and much pity for his illness. That was perfectly 
natural and proper, but it made Martin sick at heart 
as he watched Kate hovering about his friend, antici- 
pating his every wish and showing in every act the 
greatest affection for him. A woman looking on would 
not have been at all alarmed at this exhibition of 
affection — but then, Martin vras only a man, and he 
went back to London with a heavy heart. He was 
mistaken, so he told himself as he went back in the 
train, it was only gratitude she felt for him. 

^ At Bow Street he found a note saying Blount 
wished to see him, and he left one in return asking 
Blount to call at his hotel. He had hardly reached 
4 


60 


HARRY BLOmf, 


his rooms when Blount’s card was presented to him 
and that gentleman ushered in. 

Martin was in a bad, and for him, unusual mood, 
and Blount noticed it immediately. 

“ Have you any special engagement to-night ? ” 
asked Martin. 

‘‘ No. I’m free except for that fellow, Hall.” 

“ Hang Hall!” growled Martin, as he rang for an 
attendant. 

“ With all my heart ! ” rejoined Blount. 

“I’m morally certain he deserves it, but hang 
me if it will be easy to prove it 1 ” 

. “ A bottle of brandy and a half dozen soda,” said 
Martin, to the attendant who came in answer to his 
call. 

“Now tell me what you’ve done, Blount! Here, 
have a cigar before you begin.” 

Blount looked at him curiously, took the cigar, and 
quietly detailed all that he had learned in the last two 
days. 

Martin listened attentively, or appeared to, and 
when his visitor finished, pushed over the bottle of 
brand}?'. 

“Help yourself, Blount,” he said, and then filled his 
own glass, but made no remark regarding the story 
he had just heard. As a matter of fact his thoughts 


TSE DETECTIVE. 


61 


were away off in Hanley Hall. The detective, how- 
ever, knew nothing about that, and somewhat piqued 
by his indifference, asked : 

“ Have you given up the matter, Mr. Martin ? ” 
Martin looked at him inquiringly. 

I mean the recovery of your papers.” 

Martin apparently tried to pull himself together. 

“ Look here, Blount,” he said, I’m not right ! 
You’ve been telling me something and I’ve been 
thinking of something else. Give me that brandy 
and tell me it all over again.” 

Blount passed over the bottle and Martin took a 
large tumbler full neat. It seemed to pull him 
together, and Blount, quick to appreciate the situation, 
repeated his story. When he had finished, Martin 
had apparently gathered his wits together. He 
pondered for a few minutes, and when he spoke 
Blount saw he was all business again. 

“Blount, I am convinced that you are correct in 
regard to this man. I am myself anxious you should 
find him, for I believe when you fasten the murder of 
Golden on him I will obtain the papers I am looking 
for. I have not only not given up the case, but I will 
double what I offered at first for their recovery I ” 
Blount’s sharp eyes grew brighter, but before he 
could speak Martin continued : 


52 


SAER-f BLOUiTT*, 


“ This man has got about two days’ start of you. 
It is for you now to close every port against him. I 
mean see that he cannot enter any city, either by rail 
or river, without your knowledge and his movements 
reported to you. Spare no expense ! And now let us 
quit the subject for an hour or two. I am out of 
sorts. I can’t talk any more about this thing!” 

“ All right,” assented his companion, cheerily. 
“Let’s hear something about life iti Australia, or 
shall I spin you a yarn of police life ? ” 

They sat and talked until late in the night, and 
when Blount left he carried a check for £100, “ to 
cover immediate expenses.” 

When he called next morning Blount found Martin 
had entirely recovered from his nervousness, as he 
called it. 

“ I have covered every point, I think,” said Blount, 
“ and now all we can do, at least for the present, is 
to hunt for the original of the face in the locket.” 

Day after day passed without word from the foreign 
police or the discovery of a face resembling that in 
the locket. At Martin’s request, Blount had been 
relieved from all other duty, and they now traveled 
about together. 

On the morning of the tenth day after the dis- 
appearance of Hall, Martin was standing on the steps 


THE DETECTIVE. 


53 


of the hotel, waiting for Blount, when he suddenly 
caught sight of Mr. Stafford picking his way between 
the throng of wagons and cabs toward him. 

“ Bless my soul ! ” exclaimed the old gentleman, 
“it’s as much as one’s life is worth to cross here! ” 

“ It is a dangerous spot,” responded Martin, warmly 
returning the cordial greeting of Mr. Stafford. “ How 
is Fred getting along ? ” 

“He is improving. We have the right tonic for 
him I believe, but he is anxious to see you, and as I 
had to come to town, I was charged to bring you back 
with me. Ah! Here comes our friend. Good-morn- 
ing, Mr. Blount.” 

Blount looked somewhat excited. In his hand he 
carried a telegraph envelope which he handed to 
Martin. 

“ By the way, Mr. Blount, I have just heard from Mr. 
Hall. He is at the Eoyal Hotel, in Dublin. If not 
too late you can communicate with him there. And 
now, Mr. Martin, I must be off, but I shall expect you 
to be ready to go with me at one o’clock. Good- 
morning, gentlemen 1 ” 

While Mr. Stafford had been talking, Martin was 
reading the following from a Dublin detective: 

“ Your party is at Koyal Hotel. Is about buying prop- 
erty in Kildare.” 


64 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


He had caught what Mr. Stafford had said and looked 
at Blount in amazement. The latter looked staggered. 

“Well, this beats all ! he exclaimed. “Here 
we’ve been looking all over the civilized world and 
just as we find him, the fellow sends us word himself! 
Either we are all wrong about him, or he’s the 
cheekiest case I’ve yet met.” 

“ Why, Blount, where are your wits ? Don’t you 
see, he has managed to dispose of the diamonds some- 
how, and has gone to Ireland to carry out his story. 
You m-ust get after him at once and trace him back.” 

“ Eight you are 1 I must be growing stupid — but 
I’ll be off at once 1 ” 

“Wait a moment! You can’t get away until 
to-night. Better send your man a telegram to watch 
him closely. Then come back to my rooms — it may 
be a long hunt, and money does as much as brains 
sometimes.” 

“I have sent the telegram,” said Blount. “He is at 
this moment under the best pair of eyes in Europe.” 

Two hours later Blount started on his long chase, 
and when Mr. Stafford ealled he found Martin all 
prepared to accompany him. 


THE DETECTIVE. 


65 


CHAPTER IX. 

While riding back to Hanley Hall, Mr. Stafford 
imparted to Martin some information which changed 
the aspect of the trip for the latter, from dismal reck- 
lessness to hopeful anxiety — his anxietj^ being to get 
to Hanley Hall as soon as possible. 

They had' the compartment to themselves, and 
Mr. Stafford remarked the dismal, down-hearted 
expression of Martin’s countenance. 

“ I’m afraid, my boy, ” he said, quizzically, “ you 
need some of the same tonic as is helping Fred.” 

What is that ? ” 

“ A good, jolly, pretty girl ! ” 

Martin’s gloom became intensified, and more to 
keep the conversation going than anything else, his 
companion continued : 

“ I don’t suppose you are aware Fred has become 
engaged to be married since his return. Lucky dog ! 
He’s got one of the best, j oiliest and sweetest girls in 
Lancashire ! It was all Kate’s work though, for 
we knew nothing about it until she arrived.” (Here 
Mq,rtin became deeply interested, and beamed on th§ 


56 


HAKRY BLOUNT, 


speaker something after the manner of the sun burst- 
ing from behind a cloud.) “ It seems they were a 
good deal to each other for some time before he went 
to Australia, but they quarrelled and that sent him off. 
She was inclined to flirt a bit, and he was inclined to 
be jealous. But you should see them now 1 I’ll be 
hanged if it don’t make me feel young again just to 
see it ! Of course, I don’t pretend to see anything, 
and you must not pretend to know anything until 
you are told.” 

Martin readily agreed to the restriction placed 
upon him, and for the balance of their journey Mr. 
Stafford had no reason to complain of his companion- 
ship. Indeed, the old gentleman could not under- 
stand the sudden transformation which had taken 
place, and on their arrival at Hanley Hall both were 
in high spirits. 

They found Carden in the drawing-room, sur- 
rounded by a half dozen ladies, to whom he had evi- 
dently been narrating some deeply interesting tale, 
for their entrance was not noticed until they had 
almost reached the group sitting in a half circle 
about his chair. He, sitting facing the door, had of 
course seen them, but went on for a minute or two. 
Stopping suddenly he said, pointing at Martin : 


THE DETECTIVE. 


57 


“And there, ladies, stands the hero of the occa- 
sion ! ” 

There was a general turning of heads instantly. 
Mr. Stafford roared with laughter, while Martin actu- 
ally blushed — which caused the old gentleman 
renewed merriment as he exclaimed : 

“ Come, come, Fred ! This is really too bad ! 
Spare the hero’s blushes ! ” 

Everybody joined in the laugh this time — even 
Martin himself — which put all on a more friendly 
footing than an hours ordinary conversation would 
have done. 

Among the ladies to whom MartinVas introduced 
was a Miss Fleming — the “tonic.” Where he had 
seen her before he could not recall, but that he had 
seen her Martin felt positive. At length his curios- 
ity got the better of him and as he was seated beside 
her at the table that evening he asked, 

“Miss Fleming, I have been puzzling myself all the 
afternoon about you. I seem to recall your face, but 
cannot recall where I last saw it. Do you remem- 
ber ever meeting me ? ” 

Miss Fleming, looked at him in surprise, looked at 
him reflectively, tried to look wise, and finally shook 
her pretty head negatively. No, she had not seen him 
before — that is, she could not remember it if she had 


58 HARRY BLOUNT, 

— “ But then, one meets so many during season, you 
know, Mr. Martin.’’ 

Mr. Martin did not know anything much about the 
season,” but he did know Miss Fleming’s face was in 
some way familiar. 

On her part, Miss Fleming was delighted to have 
“ the hero of the occasion ” for a neighbor, and plied 
him with questions — “just to draw him out,” as she 
explained confidentially to the other ladies in the 
drawing-room while awaiting the gentlemen. Her 
questions were put with such a pretty show of 
shrewdness that Martin could not refrain from smil- 
ing, and catching him once she said, poutingly : 

“ Now, if you aren’t mean ! Here Fred’s been say- 
ing all sorts of nice things about, you, and I have 
been thinking — never mind what, and you have been 
laughing at me all the time ! ” 

This rebuke was audible only to the person 
addressed, but the whole table — heard her next 
remark. 

“Why, Mr. Martin! You’ve got Kate’s^ ring!” 
Then glancing at Kate’s hand — she sat just opposite ; 
“ Oh ! I beg your pardon, Mr. Martin ! But it’s 
like it, anyhow ! ” 

There was a general smile at her confusion, and to 
cover it Martin said there was quite a history 


THE DETECTIVE. 


59 


attached to the ring. He had not seen Kate’s ring, 
and when Miss Fleming mentioned it Kate’s hand 
was beneath the level of the table. 

“ History ! ” echoed the vivacious little sprite. 

Then I’ll forgive you for laughing at me, if you will 
promise to tell me all about it.” 

Martin laughingly promised, and forgot all about it 
until the gentlemen joined the ladies in the drawing- 
room. Once there, however, he found that not only 
Miss Fleming, but all the rest of the ladies were wait- 
ing for the story, and surrounded him immediately 
on his entering the room. The other gentlemen 
laughed at his predicament and Carden advised him 
to begin at once. 

“You might as well go ahead Dick,” he said 
“if Jennie — Miss Fleming wants a thing, she always 
wants it bad, and generally gets it, too.” 

“Very well — I suppose I might as well surrender. 
Now pay strict attention. Miss Fleming. 

“Well, some twenty years ago there died a New 
York merchan{ — a man of great wealth. His wife 
had died a year previous and to his son, a child of 
three or four, he left his entire property. At the 
time of his death, Mr. Hall was living in the country. 
He had retired from business a few years before and 
the people in the vicinity knew very little about 


60 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


him or his affairs. Therefore, when his brother-in- 
law, who was appointed executor under the will, dis- 
posed of the property and carried off the boy Rich- 
ard, no one was CDOugh interested to inquire what 
became of him. 

“The brother-in-law, whose name was Hardy, had a 
son of about the same age as the boy Richard Hall, 
and from the day he left his country home young 
Hall was taught to call himself Hardy, while young 
Hardy, then an innocent party to the scheme, was 
taught to call himself Hall. 

“ In the envelope containing the will was a letter 
from Mr. Hall to his son which was not to be opened 
until he had attained the age of eighteen. This, of 
course, the unscrupulous executor opened, and found 
it to be a request from the father that the son on 
attaining his majority should fulfill a compact made 
with his former partner, who had removed to 
England relating to the marriage of ” 

As may be readily imagined, Mr. Stafford was 
growing somewhat interested by this time. At this 
point he could restrain himself no longer. 

“Mr. Martin!” he exclaimed. “Are you — but 
hang it I You canT be inventing ! Where the deuce 
did you learn all this ? ” 

Martin and Carden and the friends of the Stafford’s 


Me 1)eteci'iVE. 


61 


stared at him in surprise. Martin, however, quickly 
noted that neither Mrs. Stafford nor Kate did, 
although both looked a little excited. 

“ The story is a short one, Mr. Stafford, and if you 
wait a minute or two longer you will know it all.” 

“Oh, yes! Please, Mr. Stafford! Don’t spoil it I 
Go on, Mr. Martin ! ” 

Notwithstanding his excitement, Mr. Stafford 
could not help laughing at Jennie’s appeal, and 
nodded to Martin to go on. 

“ I was saying this letter related to the marriage 
of the boy Eichard Hall and the daughter of his 
father’s former partner. Well, the boy did not seem 
to take kindly to his new name, and Hardy finally 
shipped him to his brother in the West, where he 
was so ill-used that at the age of fifteen he ran away 
and grew to manhood among cowboys and miners. 
He had a good memory, and retained a lively recol- 
lection of his uncle’s endeavors to change his identity, 
and at the age of twenty-one returned to New York. 
Here chance favored him for in some way — how I 
cannot tell — he came across his uncle, now an old 
man in abject poverty. His son, of whose where- 
abouts he knew nothing, had squandered every dollar 
of the large estate left by Mr. Hall. He gave young 
Hall all he had remaining, and that was the letter 


62 


HARRY BLOUHT, 


relating to the marriage compact. Leaving New 
York, Hall went to California, where I met him and 
from whence we traveled to Australia, where we met 
George Carden, Fred’s uncle, who took a great fancy 
to Hall In return Hall confided to Mr. Carden his 
history and also his papers. Mr. Carden was unknown 
to me at that time, and as I was doing well on my 
claim I did not join them when they moved further 
up the river. Here Hall met his death at the hands 
of a ruffian who preyed on the miners. The trouble 
occurred one Sunday, and I happened to come along 
just then, being on my way to visit my two friends, 
and I thus came to hear Hall’s story, Mr. Stafford, 
for he lived for some time after he was shot.” 

“ But the man who shot him died immediately 
after the shooting — didn’t he, Dick ? ” 

It was Carden who spoke, and even the women 
could understand his words as they saw the grim 
smile and the cruel expression of Martin’s usually 
calm countenance as he replied : 

“ Yes, I believe he died just one minute after.” 

The ladies shuddered and moved closer together. 

‘‘After Hall’s death,” continued Martin, “ Old Carden, 
as he was called, lived alone and away from the other 
miners. It was current report in the camp that the 
‘ old man ’ was rich. It was known that he owned 


^UE DETilCTlYE. 


68 


valuable property in and about Melbourne and Sydney 
and Hall when dying told me to warn him that it 
was known that he carried £20,000 worth of dia- 
monds in a belt about his waist. I did so, but with- 
out saving him. He was found dead shortly after, 
and the belt and everything else, except a few small 
bags of dust, was gone.” 

Martin stopped as though through with his story, 
but Miss Fleming recalled him with : 

“ But you haven’t said a word about the ring, Mr. 
Martin ! ” 

“ Oh, yes ! I had forgotten ! Hall gave me the 
ring and requested me to find the lady with its mate 
and inform her family of the circumstances of his 
death. He left her what little he had made — a mat- 
ter of two or three thousand pounds, which I am still 
waiting to give her, but as her name and all other 
information regarding her was contained in the letter 
stolen with Carden’s papers, I am still looking for 
her.” 


64 


fiAKEY 


CHAPTER X. 

To say Mr. Stafford was surprised by Martin’s 
story would scarcely be doing justice to his feelings. 
At first he felt inclined to tell Martin the balance of 
the story of the betrothal, but hesitated on Kate’s 
account — supposing, of course, that Hall was a per- 
son of more than ordinary interest in her eyes. The 
supposition was a natural one in view of the relations 
existing between Kate and Hall, as we must still call 
him, and he was therefore surprised to hear her join 
heartily in the general commendation of Martin’s 
tale. 

I am glad the story pleased you, but really it is 
the facts themselves and not my awkward stringing 
of them together to which the praise should be 
accorded.” 

Martin said this in reply to a remark of Miss Flem- 
ing — that he was “ a splendid story-teller.” 

‘‘Well, the facts are certainly interesting,” said 
Kate, very quietly. “ Especially so to me, but it was 
your narrative of them which will now relieve you 
from all further anxiety regarding that legacy.” 


THE DETECTIVE. 


65 


Martin looked at her inquiringly. 

“ Yes,’’ she continued, with a smile and holding out 
the hand on which she wore the ring. “ Yes, you 
need look no further, Mr. Martin, The ring and the 
woman are before you.” 

There was, of course, general surprise on hearing 
this, but Mr. Stafford quickly confirmed Kate’s asser- 
tion by relating the story of his partnership and the 
betrothal of the children. He, however, refrained 
from mentioning anything in relation to the subse- 
quent arrival of the stranger claiming to be the son 
of his former partner. 

“ And so the poor boy died in Australia ! Too 
bad ! Too bad ! But you have certainly been a 
faithful executor of the trust he placed in you, Mr. 
Martin. It seems like fate. You form Kate’s 
acquaintance by saving her life ; you then discover 
to her that she is an heiress and — bless me ! there’s 
no telling where you’ll stop.” 

The old gentleman stopped, with a look at Kate 
which caused her to blush a little, even while join- 
ing in the laughter caused by his words. 

Before attempting anything further,’’ replied Mar- 
tin, “ I must, having found the legatee, deliver up 
the legacy. It’s a matter of two or three thousand 
pounds, as I said before, and we can settle it up any 
5 


SAEilY BLOUNt, 


time to-morrow that is convenient. When that is 
disposed of, however, it may be that we shall find 
Miss Stafford interested in another and much larger 
matter.” 

“ I knew it ! I knew it ! ” exclaimed Mr. Staf- 
ford, slapping his knee vigorously. Kate, you can 
prepare — say to-morrow night, to hear some blood- 
curdling tale; and at the end of it this magician 
will suddenly discover that the King of the Canni- 
bal Islands or the Emperor of Nowhere has died and 
left you a kingdom. 

Amidst the general amusement caused by this out- 
burst Martin and Carden alone retained grave coun- 
tenances. After the fun had subsided a little the 
latter said, very gravely : 

“Indeed, Uncle, more wonderful things than those 
may happen. I am somewhat acquainted with this 
gentleman’s capabilities, and know that his powers 
‘ have not yet been fully extended.’ ” 

The serious way in which this was said excited 
considerable curiosity, but nothing further could be 
learned from the young men, and after arranging for 
the trip to London next day the ladies retired. Mr. 
Stafford followed shortly afterwards, but the young 
men remained in conversation until a late hour — 
the name Hall being frequently mentioned. 


THE DETECTIVE. 


67 


Kext day, Mr. Stafford accompanied by Kate and 
Martin, proceeded to London to transact the busi- 
ness necessary to the payment of the legacy to Kate. 
This was soon accomplished, and it being still early 
in the day, Martin suggested that they should have 
luncheon at Greenwich. 

Here, while strolling about after a delightful meal, 
of which the famous whitebait formed the principal 
part, the party ran across a photographer — one oF 
the class that carry about shop and residence where- 
ever they go. A solicitation for their trade brought 
first an order and later a not particularly bad photo- 
graph of the three in a group. 

This incident, unworthy of record in itself, led to 
others of consequence — terrible consequence to one 
character in our story. 

On their return to Hanley Hall it was overlooked 
in the excitement caused by the departure of Miss 
Fleming, whose mother had suddenly been taken ill, 
and Martinis receipt of a long telegram from Blount, 
the contents of which interested both Carden and 
himself. 

“ He has been to Antwerp. I am going there,” 
was the last and most interesting line of the tele- 
gram. 


68 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


CHAPTER XI. 

Among the letters received at Hanley Hall the 
morning after Martin’s receipt of Blount’s telegram, 
were two from Mr. Hall — one for Mr. Stafford and 
the other for Kate. As he tossed the letter to her 
Mr. Stafford remarked : “ From our friend Hall ! ” 

After glancing over his letter he continued : 

“He seems to be buying considerable stock in 
Kildare.” 

Martin and Carden exchanged glances. It seemed 
odd that each time Martin received news of Hall so 
also did Mr. Stafford. 

Kate’s letter caused her to change countenance, and 
in response to an inquiring look from her mother she 
passed over the letter. It had the same effect on 
the mother as the daughter — a look of anxiety came 
to her face. 

“ What’s the trouble ? ” asked Mr. Stafford, who 
had been watching them curiously. 

Kate became embarassed and blushed, but did not 
reply. Mrs. Stafford hesitated, and finally said it was 
nothing particular and concerned only herself and 


THE DETECTIVE. 


69 


Kate. Neither Martin nor Carden knew anything of 
Kate’s engagement, and Mrs. Stafford did not feel 
inclined to discuss it just then — although now firmly 
convinced there was something wrong about Hall. 
The letter she held in her hand urged immediate 
preparation for Kate’s marriage, and informed her 
that he would return, expecting to find Kate ready, 
at the end of three weeks. 

After breakfast Mrs. Stafford informed her husband 
of the contents of the letter, and he in turn took 
Carden into his confidence regarding the engage- 
ment and the letter. 

Carden was surprised, and suggested consulting 
Martin without giving any reason or necessity for 
doing so; but Mr. Stafford offered no objection, and 
Martin being found in the library, he was soon in 
possession of all the facts regarding Hall’s arrival in 
England and subsequent engagement to Kate — even to 
the mortgage or mortgages he held on the Stafford 
property. 

Martin did not appear particularly surprised or 
put out at anything he heard until the engagement 
was mentioned. On hearing of this he said quietly, 
but with bitter regret expressed in the tone : 

“ I wish I had been told this before.” 

After a minute’s thought he continued : 


70 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


“ If I may advise in this matter, Mr. Stafford, I 
would say let everything go on as it is, and allow this 
fellow to believe everything is proceeding smoothly. 
Of course, you are now aware he is an imposter, but 
there is more in this than you think, Mr. Stafford, 
although at present you must be content with what 
I’ve said.” 

Mr. Stafford looked mystified, but a look from 
Carden caused him to assent readily to Martin’s pro- 
position, and volunteered the remark that he would 
have his “ women folks ” do the same. 

Martin himself, however, did more that morning 
to put the “ women folks ” at ease than Mr. Stafford 
did, for meeting Kate shortly after the interview in 
the library, he begged a few minutes’ quiet conver- 
sation. 

“ Let’s take a stroll,” he said; ‘4t will be the easiest 
and surest way to avoid interruption.” 

Later in the day Mrs. Stafford was taken into the 
secret, as was also Miss Fleming, who returned a week 
later. 

“ Auntie is so nervous,” explained Miss Fleming, 
that when mamma has . a headache she summons 
every doctor and every relative she can reach. 
Mamma never knew I was coming home until I 
arrived ! And she just packed me back here, I really 


THE DETECTIVE. 71 

believe, to teach Auntie a lesson ! And now tell 
about your trip to London.” 

They were all seated in the drawing-room. Mar- 
tin had just returned from London, whither he had 
gone to learn if anything had been heard from Blount. 
He had heard nothing from that gentleman, and he 
was growing anxious over the continued silence. It 
would also appear that he was mistaken regarding 
Hall’s movements, for a letter received that day 
announced his expectation of returning within a week. 
He felt decidedly blue and was not inclined to talk. 
Kate, therefore, told of the trip to London — an event 
of no little moment to her — where they had gone 
afterwards, and finally of their being photographed. 

“Oh! Gracious! Let me see it, Kate ! It must 
bj^ one of those horrid tin things ! ” and after a glance 
at it Miss Fleming continued : “ I declare, Kate ! 

For your own sake, you really ought to burn it ! It’s 
almost as bad as the one I had taken three years ago 
— only mine is smaller ! ” 

Martin became interested at this point, and now 
asked Miss Fleming if she had preserved any of the 
photographs. He had been gazing at her idly while 
she was speaking, still trying to remember where he 
had seen her before, and when she spoke of the photo- 


72 


HAEKY BLOUNT, 


graphs a sudden light burst upon him. Her’s was 
the original of the face in the locket ! 

Martin asked the question so eagerly that he 
attracted the attention of the others. 

I don’t know but I should have, for we had enough 
taken to exchange all around, and I managed to beg 
most of mine back. There was a whole crowd of us 
out sailing, and gentlemen were at a premium; but 
as I was only a little thing then, they didn’t mind 
humoring me.” 

“ Of course not,” rejoined Martin, with a smile at 
the lady nov/ nineteen years of age and four feet ten 
inches in height. “ Of course not, but can you let 
me see one of those horrible photographs? I am 
really anxious to see one.” 

“ Well, if I have got any of them they are at 
home ; so, of course, I can’t show them to you now.” 

“ Could you not write for one ? ” persisted Martin. 
“ It is not mere curiosity. Miss Fleming, but on the 
contrary, of the greatest importance that I should see 
one of the photographs you mention. They were of 
the size put in a locket, were they not ? ” 

“ Yes,” replied Miss Fleming, looking at him in 
surprise, ‘‘ but how ” 

“ Never mind how I know, for the present, but if 
you will get me one of those photographs as soon as 


THE DETECTIVE. 


78 


possible, you will furnish an important link in an 
interesting story.” 

Martin spoke very earnestly, impressing even Miss 
Fleming, and when he added : 

“ So important do I regard this. Miss Fleming, that 
I am compelled to ask you to return home at once — 
to-night.” 

Miss Fleming promptly expressed her willingness 
to do so, and started with Martin within an hour. 

The drive of ten miles was accomplished quickly, 
and the search commenced immediately on their 
arrival at the Fleming residence. The picture was 
easily found, and Martin then questioned Miss Fleming 
as to her knowledge of the members of the party — 
especially Hall — but she knew no one of that name, 
and had not photographs of all present on that day. 
Neither had she ever seen the gentleman engaged to 
Kate. 

Martin took possession of the photograph, and then 
proceeded to London. 


74 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


CHAPTEE XII. 

Martin was a little disappointed regarding the 
value of his discovery. He had expected to learn 
from. Miss Fleming something about Hall. Still, he 
had found an important link in the chain, and on his 
arrival in London sought the inspector from whom 
he had secured Blount’s services. 

It was late at night — or rather early morning — and 
everything being quiet. Inspector Prime was rather 
glad than otherwise to see Martin. The latter related 
the finding of the locket, and the subsequent finding 
of the original of the photograph in it. 

The inspector listened attentively. He considered 
it an important piece of evidence and said as much, 
but counselled waiting for news from Blount. Hall 
was under surveillance, and there was no danger of 
his slipping through their fingers again. Meantime 
he would put a “ good woman” into Hall’s late resi- 
dence in Harley Street — as chambermaid. Through 
her everything there belonging to Hall could be 
examined without exciting suspicion. 

Martin did not reach his hotel until daylight, and 


THE DETECTIVE. 


76 


did not arise until late in the day. On descending to 
the office he was agreeably surprised to find a letter 
from Blount. The contents, however, were not encour- 
aging. Blount was unable to find any trace of Hall, 
as yet, but did not despair of doing so. 

Martin immediately communicated with Blount by 
telegraph, telling him he had discovered the original 
of the locket picture. 

This being done Martin had apparently reached 
the end of his tether. What to do with himself he 
did not know, but he would not go back to Hanley 
Hall, for feeling reasonably certain of finally proving 
his case against Hall, and being determined to follow 
it up, he did not care to meet Kate. That she must 
have some regard for Hall seemed only natural — other- 
wise why the engagement. 

For want of something else to do, Martin sought 
Inspector Prime and learned that he, too, had heard 
from Blount. 

“ I caffit stand this infernal idleness/’ said Martin 
during the conversation. “ If I felt certain of catch- 
ing Blount at Antwerp I would ” 

“ Why not take a trip to Dublin? ” interrupted the 
inspector. “ You will have to act carefully, however, 
and do just as O’Brien, the detective there, bids you. 
Does this Hall know you ? ” 


76 


HAKBY BLOUNT, 


“ I think not. He met me once at Hanlej Hall, 
but under circumstances which would probably leave 
no impression of my appearance on his mind.” 

“ Well, you might go there to relieve the monotony 
of waiting — but be careful I ” 

Within a few hours Martin was crossing the Chan- 
nel, and on arriving in Dublin found, on presenting a 
letter from Inspector Prime, that Hall, and his shadow, 
O’Brien, were at Naas, in Kildare, where it was 
understood the former was about buying considerable 
property, and' after spending the day in Dublin, 
Martin proceeded to Naas. 

At the “ Blessert Arms,” the best of the two inns 
in Naas, Martin found O’Brien, to whom he had a 
letter from Dublin. 

There was nothing to report, O’Brien told him, ex- 
cept that Hall was well supplied with money, which 
he spent freely ; that he had made many good friends, 
and was negotiating for the purchase of an estate in 
the vicinity. 

Does he live here ? ” asked Martin. 

‘^Yes — whenever he can get away from his 
friends. To-day, and for the past two days, he’s been 
off thirty mile from here shooting.” 

“But how the deuce can you keep track of him 
there?” exclaimed Martin, in angry surprise. “I 


THE DETECTIVE. 77 

understood he was never out of your sight or 
reach ! ” 

“ Be easy now, Mr. Martin. He’s not out of either 
my sight or reach, for on my recommendation he 
engaged my partner, Jim Barrel, as his valet. Jim 
wired me just a hour ago that they will be back 
to-night.” 

O’Brien smiled just a little triumphantly as he 
finished, and then pretending not to notice Martin’s 
confusion, continued : 

‘‘ You see, Mr. Martin, I formed the acquaintance of 
our friend almost as soon as he arrived in Dublin, and 
I’ve cultivated that acquaintance with great success 
ever since. 1 am here by his invitation, but my pride 
— I am a gentleman in somewhat reduced circum- 
stances, d’ye mind — my pride will not permit of my 
mingling very much in the sport which he is now 
enjoying, and in which he at first insisted I should 
join him.” 

The two gazed for a moment at each other as 
the detective finished. Then Martin extended his 
hand ; 

I don’t suppose there’s any use of saying any- 
thing,” he said, smiling ruefully at his own discom- 
fiture. 

‘‘ No more than there is necessity,” responded 


78 


SARRr BLOUNT, 


O’Brien, heartily. “ Come ! Let’s take a drop of 
something ! ” and after giving the order continued : 
“ That reminds me of something — our friend, I am 
happy to say, is beginning to drink heavily.” 

Martin looked inquiringly, and O’Brien exclaimed : 

“ It shows he’s growing either careless or desperate, 
for he drank nothing inDublin, and something’s bound 
to come of it.” 

Hall, together with several friends, arrived that 
evening. All were in high spirits, because, per- 
haps, as O’Brien explained to Martin, “ they had a 
fair quantity inside of them.” 

The party proceeded at once to Hall’s rooms, where 
wine and whiskey were ordered freely until late in 
the night, when they adjourned to the bar. Martin 
was standing with one elbow resting on the bar, 
his hand under his chin and his feet crossed, when 
they entered. Hall, who was quite drunk, either acci- 
dentally or in bravado knocked up against him and 
almost threw him off his feet. Martin was not in a 
happy mood, and angrily demanded what he meant ; 
but even as he spoke, seeing Hall’s condition, turned 
away. 

The latter was not too drunk to catch the contempt 
expressed by the look and the action, and angrily 
insisted that Martin should listen to him, but instead 


1?HE DETECTIVE). 


79 


Martin walked slowly away as if about to leave the 
room. He had not gone five paces before Hall was 
after him and struck him with his walking-stick. 
The blow, if it could be called a blow, for Hall was 
barely able to lift the stick, was the last straw — 
Martin’s patience was exhausted. Turning on Hall 
like an enraged lion, he lifted him bodily and threw 
him half the length of the room — the flying body 
coming down with a crash amidst the chairs and 
tables along the wall. 

Hall did not move, and as his friends picked him 
up someone said he was dead, and suggested detaining 
Martin, who, after lighting a cigar, walked out and 
off through the country for five miles. When he 
returned he had walked off his excitement, and 
enjoyed a good night’s rest. 

Martin paid no further attention to the matter, 
and laughed at O’Brien when the latter next day 
spoke of further trouble ; but that evening a gentle- 
man called upon him with a message from Mr. Hall 
demanding an apology, as public as the injury, or a 
duel! 

At first Martin laughed at the idea, but his caller 
was an Irishman, very gentlemanly, very pleasant, but 
also very determined that his friend should have 
either one or the other, with the preference largely in 


80 


HAKRY BLOUNT, 


favor of the duel. Mr. Martin must recognize the 
fact that he (Martin) was a big, powerful fellow, 
while his friend was comparatively a small man; and 
while it was true there had been a little trouble, the 
punishment was very largely in excess of the provo- 
cation. Moreover, the affair having been so public, he 
could hardly see how Mr. Hall should be satisfied 
with an apology — but, then, that was not his affair. 

The upshot of the conversation was that Martin 
allowed himself to be badgered into saying he had a 
friend in the inn to whom he would refer the matter, 
and Captain Carroll having accomplished his object, 
departed with a satisfied smile and a pleasant 
“ good -evening.” 

“ I ought to have pitched the fellow out of the 
window ! But I’ll be hanged if you could be angry 
with him, you would think it was a marriage instead 
of a possible funeral he was arranging,” said Martin, 
as he explained the affair shortly after to O’Brien, 
adding : ‘‘ Is it possible this thing cannot be ignored ? 
It seems ridiculous ! ” 

“ Yes, you might take the next train for Dublin,” 
replied O’Brien, quietly, “ otherwise you may as well 
make up your mind to fight, for Carroll will leave no 
loophole open for an amicable settlement. He 
delights in fighting himself, and would die of mortifi- 


THE HETECTIVI^. 8l 

cation if any affair lie was engaged in should be 
settled without going out.” 

Martin swore he would not run, neither would he 
fight, but the man who interfered with him would 
remember and regret it, if he lived long enough ; but 
in the end submitted to “ the custom of the country,” 
and O’Brien called on Captain Carroll that very 
evening. 

6 


82 


fitAREY BLOUi^^ 


CHAPTER XIII. 

The arrangements for tlie duel progressed rapidly. 
Once it was understood that there should be a meet- 
ing, no more accommodating gentleman than Captain 
Carroll could be wished. * He left everything to 
O’Brien, the weapons, the ground, the time. He would 
leave the choice of all these to the other side, dealing 
as knew he was with ^uch an honorable gentlemen ; 
but notwithstanding this, managed to have the 
arrangement of everything, even to the position of 
the men on the field, as he won the toss for the 
choice. 

The night before the duel Martin wrote several 
letters to Carden, Mr. Stafford and Blount, and two to 
relatives in Am.erica. These he entrusted to O’Brien, 
to be forwarded in case he was killed. He was not 
at all alarmed about himself, just a bit nervous about 
the other fellow. 

‘‘It’s a cold-blooded piece of business,” he said, 
in talking with O’Brien. “Suppose I should kill 
him ? ” - 

“ The anxiety is generally the other way,” replied 


(THE DEfECtlVfi. §3 

O’Brien, witli a laugh. “Still, as you suggest, it’s 
serious business and I wish it was over.” 

“It’s lucky I’m a pretty good shot,” mused Martin, 
“otherwise I might accidentally kill him.” And 
looking up suddenly at O’Brien, added : “ Of course 
it would never do to kill him. That job must be left 
for another time and another manner 1 ” 

The morning set for the duel dawned fair and 
bright, and with the first streaks of red across the 
sky a jaunting car and a closed carriage arrived at a 
quiet spot not a mile from the Blessert Arms. In the 
jaunting car came Martin and O’Brien, while the 
carriage contained Hall, Captain Carroll and a sur- 
geon. 

The parties had separated the night before and 
taken up quarters at different inns to avoid suspicion. 

Captain Carroll having won the toss for position, 
placed his man with his back to the sun. 

As Martin took his place he handed a letter to 
O’Brien. “Only in case of death,” he said. It was 
addressed to Kate Stafford. 

Whether one was too quick or the other too slow 
no one could say, but it was quite certain that Martin’s 
pistol was not discharged until he fell with a bullet in 
his side. 


84 


HARRY 


Hall remained in his position until Carroll heard 
the surgeon’s report. 

“ He’s dangerously hurt and you had better get 
away to Dublin for awhile,” said Carroll, hurrying 
back, “I’ve arranged with O’Brien to keep you 
informed of his condition. Can I do anything else ? ” 

“ Yes, send down that man of mine with all my 
luggage as soon as possible ! ” 

“ All right ! But I don’t think it’s as bad as that 
— but be off! You take the car, he must have the 
carriage.” 

When O’Brien saw Hall about to drive away he 
hesitated for a moment, and was about to make some 
excuse to get away and follow him, when Carroll 
joined them, saying he too must leave, as he had 
promised Hall to send his man after him at once. 
This decided O’Brien, and he remained and assisted 
in conveying Martin to the Blessert Arms. 

After seeing Martin placed in bed, O’Brien imme- 
diately mailed the letters he had received the pre- 
vious night, and then sent a long letter to Inspector 
Prime of London and a telegram to Farrell, his part- 
ner, at the hotel where Hall had stopped on coming 
to Dublin. He also sent another to the Dublin 
police to look after Hall’s movements, and having 
thus closed all avenues of escape, returned to the inn. 


THE DETECTIVE. 


85 


The surgeon had just finished a careful examina- 
tion of Martin’s wound, and said bluntly that he con- 
sidered it dangerous, but could not speak with cer- 
tainty for a day or two. 

O’Brien was a good detective, but felt dismayed at 
the idea of having to play nurse. He appealed to 
Mrs. Moran, the good-natured proprietress of the 
Blessert Arms, for assistance before letting the sur- 
geon leave. 

“ Good gracious! ” she exclaimed, indignantly. “ Do 
you take us for heathens ? Why, I’m only waiting for 
the doctor to leave to go and see what’s to be done 1 ” 

‘‘ But I want somebody to look after him all the 
time, Mrs. Moran. I will be around myself, of course, 
but I'm no use as nurse and I will pay well for some 
one who is.” 

“Well, pay or no pay, you don’t suppose we’d 
leave one sick man to take care of another? But if 
Julia wants to make a little extra I’ll give her the 
chance. She’s a good girl — the best I’ve ever had ! — 
Julia 1 ” 

“ Julia,” a pretty black-eyed girl with rosy cheeks 
and a Juno form, came in answer to the call. 

“Julia,” said Mrs. Moran, “Mr. Martin in Ho. 6 
has been hurt this morning, and Mr. O’Brien, here, 
wants somebody to take care of him, and he wants 


86 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


to pay something for it, too. It’s a chance to make 
a few shillings, if you want to take it.” 

Julia wanted to take it immediately, and was 
duly installed as a nurse. 

Toward evening fever set in and Martin became 
delirious. The surgeon was called in at once. It 
was bad, very bad, he said, and he remained an 
hour or more with his patient. 

Just after tjie surgeon left Captain Carroll called. 
O'Brien, who did not want to scare Hall out of 
Ireland just yet, met him down-stairs, and said the 
surgeon had declared the wound to be a dangerous 
one. That of course Hall already knew, and it 
would serve to keep him worried. Nothing more 
definite would be known for a day or two. 

During the afternoon of the second day, when Cap- 
tain Carroll called again, he met the surgeon, who 
told him the case was a decidedly ugly one, and that 
if inflammation set in, as he feared it ' would, there 
was little hope of saving Martin’s life. 

Carroll immediately telegraphed Hall : “ Better 

leave. It looks very bad,” and Hall having an hour 
to spare, caught the steamer for Liverpool. He had 
found his valet, Farrell, quite competent and useful, 
and brought him along. 

Meanwhile the letters mailed by O’Brien had 


THE DETECTIVE. 


87 


reached their destination — those reaching Hanley 
Hall causing no little commotion. Martin had closed 
both letters by saying : “ This will be mailed only in 
case of my death or serious injury.” And O’Brien, it 
should have been mentioned, had written Carden that 
the cause was serious injury. 

Mr. Stafford and Carden immediately decided to 
start for Naas. The letters were received at break- 
fast, and during the meal the men discussed the trip 
and the probable condition of Martin. Mrs. Stafford 
and Miss Fleming expressed the greatest sympathy 
for Martin, but Kate remained silent. As they arose 
from the table, however, she said : 

“ Papa ! Do you think — do you think we — 
that is, I could be of any service ? It must be awful 
to be a stranger in one of those places — and be — be 
so ill ! ” 

“ Bless me ! ” exclaimed Mr. Stafford, looking at 
her in surprise. “ I — I ” 

Before he could go any further there was an 
approving chorus : 

Carden, By Jove ! The very thing ! Kate, 
you’re a brick ! 

Mrs, Stafford, Kate is right, George! We owe 
Mr. Martin many obligations ! 


88 


HAEKY BLOUNT, 


Miss Fleming. How nice of you, Kate! I 
should just love to go ! 

Mr. Stafford looked dismayed, and said very meekly 
that lie had made no objection to Kate’s accompany- 
ing them, nor had he any to make, and as it took 
women folks all day to get ready, she had better 
begin at once. 

Preparations for the trip were begun immediately, 
but just at noon as they were about ready there came 
a telegram from Inspector Prime asking Carden to 
come immediately to London. 

This was a set-back,, but Carden decided matters. 
He would go at once to London, while they should 
start later for Liverpool. After seeing the inspector 
he would follow on to Liverpool and catch them at 
the boat. 

Carden accordingly started at once, and as arranged 
caught them at Liverpool. He looked somewhat 
excited, but said nothing, except that the inspector 
had news of interest to Martin. 

Thus it happened that Hall sailing from Ireland 
passed his betrothed sailing to Ireland. 


THE DETECTIVE. 


89 


CHAPTEE XIV. 

When Hall arrived in Liverpool he proceeded at 
once to London. His valet was careful to see that 
he did not come unannounced — at least in Bow 
Street — and from thence the information reached the 
new servant in Harley Street. 

Hall, however, remained only a day in London. 
After spending one night in Harley Street, he 
informed his landlady he was going away again for 
a day or two and that he expected some letters. Any 
arriving the day of his departure were to be for- 
warded to Hanley Hall. Those arriving after that 
were to be held. 

Parrel was then ordered to “ pack up a few things,” 
and at noon they started for Hanley Hall. On arriv- 
ing, Hall was annoyed to find Mr. Stafford and Kate 
absent. They had gone, so he was informed, to what 
might be the death-bed of a very dear friend of the 
family, — “ which is only the truth, you know,” said 
Miss Fleming, as she concluded telling Mrs. Stafford 
just what must be said to Hall. 


90 


HAERY BLOUNT, 


Although, much annoyed, Hall preserved a calm 
exterior, and asked Avhere they had gone. 

“ To Staffordshire,” Miss Fleming replied, very 
promptly, not giving Mrs. Stafford a chance to com- 
mit herself. 

Hall looked at her sharply. Her face seemed to 
trouble him, as it had Martin. 

“ When do you expect ' Mr. Stafford to return ? ” 
Hall addressed Mrs. Stafford, but again Miss Fleming 
interposed. 

“ Of course that must depend on the recovery or 
death of their friend,” she said, with a mischievous 
smile. 

Hall would have much preferred questioning Mrs. 
Stafford and receiving his answers from her, and sus- 
pecting this Mrs. Stafford said she must leave them 
for a little while. Miss Fleming would entertain him. 

Miss Fleming rattled off‘ a lot of small talk, to 
which Hall barely paid attention. At length a break 
occurred in the conversation, and he said : 

“ Do you know. Miss Fleming, I seem to know your 
face — ^yet I can’t remember where.” 

“It must have been my photograph,” she replied, 
with an innocent smile. 

“ Precisely I I found a locket a couple years ago 


THE DETECTIVE. 


91 


with your photograph in it — I knew I had seen your 
face somewhere ! ” 

“ Could you let me see it, Mr. Hall ? ’’ with the same 
innocent smile. 

“No, I regret to say I cannot; although what has 
become of it I do not know. But I beg you will tell 
Mrs. Stafford I had to go, as I wish to catch the train 
back and I have barely time to do so,” and having 
driven a very large nail in his own coffin. Hall left 
immediately, while Miss Fleming at once wrote Car- 
den an account of her conversation with him regard- 
ing the locket. 

When Hall alighted from the train in London, he 
ran plump into a gentleman of rather disreputable 
appearance, who cordially “blawsted” Mr. Hall’s 
“ heyes ” and consigned his soul to everlasting perdi- 
tion. 

Hall did not recognize the burly individual and 
paid no attention to him, but the other appeared to 
recognize him and heard him give the order to drive 
to No. — Harley Street. 

“ So yer back are ye ! ” he muttered. “ Mebbe 
I’ll give ye a call afore ye know it ! ” 

It was our old friend daggers, and after Hall was 
driven away he stood for some time in deep thought. 
After a while he moved off in a hesitating way. 


92 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


Then apparently coming to a sudden resolution, he 
muttered a horrible oath, saying — “ I’ll do it ! ” and 
walked quickly in the direction of the den known as 
“ Blind Jim’s,” where Blount had met him regarding 
the murder. 

On arriving at “ Blind Jim’s ” he sought a desperate 
character known as “TheKnifer,” and both adjourned 
to a private room. 

It was early in the evening, and though the two 
conversed very earnestly until after midnight, and 
“The Knifer” appeared to have money, they drank 
but little — which caused the proprietor of the den to 
remark that “the boys in number six must have a 
little business on hand.” 

He was not far out of the way, for about one o’clock 
the “ boys ” left the house and proceeded stealthily to 
No. — Harley Street. 

Barrel, the valet, had obtained leave of absence, and 
no one but Hall slept on the second floor that night. 
He had come back from Hanley Hall in an ugly tem- 
per, and had spent the evening drinking — in fact had 
gone to bed pretty drunk. And he had what is called 
the drunken man’s luck, for had he gone to bed sober 
he would undoubtedly have been awakened when our 
friend daggers, in removing his watch from the dress- 
ing-case, knocked over a glass globe. Had he awak- 


I'HE DETECTIVE. 


ened “ The Knifer,” who was bending over him, 
would have plunged the knife which gained him the 
title into Hall’s heart. However, being drunk, he 
slept on undisturbed by the noise and escaped bodily 
injury. 

In the morning when he awakened. Hall looked for 
his watch to see the time, and not finding it looked 
for his vest, never doubting it was there, but the vest 
contained no watch. Instead of becoming angry 
Hall began to look troubled and searched among 
the garments he had removed the night before. 
Piece after piece was thrown hurriedly on the floor, 
but what he sought — and it could not have been his 
valuable watch which he risked handling so reck- 
lessly — was not there. 

Sinking back on the bed he stared around the 
room. Suddenly his gaze fell upon the open rear 
window, and running to it he saw a ladder raised 
against the rear of the house. It was quite clear to 
him now — he had been robbed while lying in a 
drunken stupor, and realizing this he cursed him- 
self and his folly and his misfortune. 

After a few minutes he closed the window, and 
going to a closet took out a bottle of brandy, which 
he had just managed to put away the night before. 
Bestowing another curse on this, he took a drink of 


94 


fiAERY BLOtTNf. 


it and sat down to tliink. Suddenly he brightened 
up, and seizing a pencil wrote the following advertise- 
ment : 

‘‘ If the parties who took the watch No. 0072 and other 
jewelry, together with an undergarment from No. — 
Harley Street, will return the same at once, they will re- 
ceive the full value and not be prosecuted. All the 
articles must be returned to ensure the foregoing.’^ 

“ There,' that looks hopeful — that is, if the fools 
have not thrown it away ! ” exclaimed Hall, as he 
read over the advertisement. 

He dressed rapidly and went out without saying 
a word about his loss, and before breakfasting left a 
copy of the advertisement at the office of every 
newspaper in London, with orders to insert it for a 
week. 

“ What precious lambs ’e must take us for ! ” 
exclaimed “The Knifer” as he read the advertise- 
ment in the paper next day. 

“Werry!” rejoined daggers. “I wonder wot ’e 
thinks ve took the bloody pad for? Hundergar- 
ment ’e calls it ! ” 

When a week had passed without receiving any 
response to his advertisement Hall changed it to the 
following : 


friE DE'tECtlVi!. 


‘‘ £500 reward and no questions asked for the return of 
the watch and other jewelry etc., taken from the second 
floor of No. — Harley Street on the 10th instant. 
Address, Confidential, care of this office.’’ 

This, too, came under the notice of daggers and 
his friend. The latter glanced at the advertisement 
covetously and said : 

Hi wonder ’ow much hgher ’ee’ll go ? 

“ Don’t you bother yer ’ead about that ! ’E can’t get 
’em if ’e went as ’igh as the bloomin’ moon 1 ’ 
retorted daggers, savagely. 


96 


HARRY BLOUHT, 


OHAPTEE xy. 

The trip to Naas was made quickly and without 
any incident worthy of note, except that the rough 
passage across the channel caused Mr. Stafford to 
become sea-sick as they neared Dublin, and having 
escaped it up to that time and become boastful of it, 
he now blamed his sickness on the Irish air which 
they must by this time be breathing — which air he 
declared never agreed with an Englishman’s stomach. 

Arriving at the Blessert Arms, Mr. Stafford 
inquired about Martin and was told he was still very 
ill. 

“ He’s been out of his head entirely for the last 
few days,” said Mrs. Moran, “ but the doctor says there 
is a chance for him yit. Would ye like to see him? 
The doctor says if we could only find out who it is 
he’s talkin’ about and askin’ for all the time, it’d do 
him all the good in the world. But it’s nothin’ but 
Kate, Kate, all the time, an’ sure there’s thousands of 
Kates ! ” 

Without waiting to see the effect of her speech 
Mrs. Moran led the way to Martin’s room, and 


THE DETECTIVE. 


97 


knocked softly on the door. Getting no response 
she knocked a little louder, and then opened the 
door. 

“Look!” she said. “Poor Julia’s asleep. She 
has not laid down once since he was brought in.” 

Julia was sitting near Martin’s bed, with her head 
resting on her hand, sound asleep. 

“Poor girl! It’s time she had some rest,” said 
Kate, and quietly stepping across the room awakened 
her, but Julia would not leave the room until Mrs. 
Moran beckoned to her to do so. 

Kate quietly took her place. Carden gave her an 
approving nod, and turning to Mr. Stafford, said : 

“ There is no use in our going in now. Better 
come down and wait for the doctor. Meantime we 
can get something up to Kate.” 

“ Faith, that’s sinsible, anyhow I ” commented Mrs. 
Moran. “Come down to the dining-room an’ III 
give ye the best in the house.” 

After the others had gone Kate arose and closed 
the door. As she returned she heard Martin murmur 
her name, at the same time stretching forth his hand 
as though seeking her. . On the impulse of the 
moment she placed her hand in his and this seemed 
to satisfy him. In a few minutes he sank into a 
peaceful slumber and his grasp relaxed. Gently 

7 


98 


HARRY BLOUNl^, 


placing his hand under the cover Kate picked up a 
book which Julia had evidently been reading when 
she feel asleep. As she picked up the book she 
noticed a letter lying on the table. Truly feminine, 
she looked to see the address and found it to be for 
herself. 

It was the letter Martin had given O’Brien on the 
morning of the duel, and he had laid it there to await 
developments. 

Naturally supposing it was about to be mailed to 
her, Kate was going to open it, when hearing a 
knock at the door she slipped it into her pocket and 
went to answer the knock. 

It was Mrs. Moran with a tray containing some of 
the various edibles embraced in “the best in the 
house,” and some excellent tea, for which latter Kate 
felt truly thankful. 

Mrs. Moran had brought up the tray herself for 
two reasons. First, because Kate had won her heart 
by her sympathy for the tired-out Julia, and secondly, 
because she had heard Carden speak of her as Kate, 
and she wanted to have a chat with her. 

Setting down the tray on the little table, she said in 
a whisper ; 

“Doctor Fox was right I see. ’Twas Kate he 


THE DETECTIVE. 


99 


wanted, an’ now that yez come there’s no fear but he’ll 
get well! ” 

Kate smiled a little and blushed a little. 

“ Why do you think I’m the Kate that is wanted ? 
As you say yourself, there are thousands of the 
name.” 

“True for ye! But did any one ever see him 
restin’ like that before, quiet and peaceful as a child? ” 
and Mrs. Moran pointed triumphantly at Martin. 

Having delivered this unanswerable argument, Mrs. 
Moran shook her head knowingly and stole out of the 
room as softly as though she weighed 120 pounds 
instead of “ 14 stone ” — as she put it herself. 

Down-stairs she confidently informed Mr. Stafford 
and Carden that now that Kate had arrived, there was 
no need of worrying, as Martin would certainly be all 
right again in a few days. 

Even Carden, anxious as he was regarding Martin, 
to whom he owed both his life and fortune, could not 
avoid smiling at the simple yet sublime confidence 
with which Mrs. Moran made this assertion. Yet 
when Dr. Fox come down from the sick chamber he 
bore her out to a great extent. While up-stairs he 
had heard Martin call Kate, had seen her take his 
outstretched hand and then drop into an easy sleep. 
So that when questioned he replied that he had no 


100 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


doubt now of Martin’s recovery — “ provided the lady 
up-stairs could stand the strain of nursing him,” and 
the doctor left them. 

Mrs. Moran, who neither could nor would be shut 
out from hearing the doctor’s report, looked some- 
what triumphantly at her two guests, who in turn 
looked rather dumbfounded at this unexpected con- 
firmation of her opinion. 

Neither Mr. Stafford nor his nephew spoke for a 
few minutes. Neither deemed it wise to mention the 
thoughts which had actually occurred to both on 
hearing the doctor’s opinion. 

At length Carden suggested a game of billiards, and 
they adjourned to the table which made the “Blessert 
Arms ” the preeminent of the two inns in Naas 


THE DETECTIVE. 


101 


CHAPTER XVI. 

Doctor Fox called to see his patient early next 
morning, so early that he met Mr. Stafford and Carden 
coming down to breakfast. 

Well, how is the patient this morning? ” he asked. 

“ I’m afraid you will have to go up-stairs to ascer- 
tain that,” replied Mr. Stafford. “Oh yes! We in- 
quired — ” he added, noticing the curious glance of the 
physician. “We inquired just now, but were told 
you were coming early, and we could learn his con- 
dition from you.” 

“ Sensible girl,” said the doctor. “ I will not keep 
you waiting long, I imagine.” 

In two or three minutes the doctor reappeared and 
motioned them to come up. At the door he cautioned 
them not to excite his patient adding — “ He is now 
fully conscious 1 ” 

This was pleasing news, even coupled with the 
doctor’s proviso that there must be only a word. 

Martin was awake and expecting them, and 
returned the warm clasp of his friends’ hands. Kate 
sat somewhat in the background, smiling and looking 


102 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


happy notwithstanding her all night vigil in the sick 
room. When the doctor departed she was to 
exchange with her predecessor, Julia, for a few hours, 
by order of the doctor. 

When the gentlemen descended to the bar and 
informed Mrs. Moran of this, she at once notified 
Julia, who proceeded to Martin’s room only to return 
again in a few minutes. 

The young lady was reading to Mr. Martin, she 
said, and would not want her for half an hour. 

“ That’s good ! ” commented Mrs. Moran, to whom 
the information was conveyed. “She’ll have him 
asleep by that time and you’ll have nothing to do for 
awhile, so if you have any sewing or knitting ye 
better take it with ye.” 

When Julia returned at the expiration of the half 
hour she found Mrs. Moran’s prediction correct. 
Martin was asleep and Kate awaiting her. 

As the doctor was about leaving he again warned 
Carden and Mr. Stafford against exciting Martin. 

“ Your friend,” he said, “ has some weighty matter 
on his mind. What it is I, of course, do not know. 
Possibly you may. But whatever it is, all reference 
to it must be avoided.” 

In view of this positive prohibition Carden 
remained silent regarding the letter he received next 


THE DETECTIVE. 


103 


day from Miss Fleming in relation to the locket 
picture. He would have liked to have consulted 
Martin, but this being impossible at present he 
decided to return at once to London, and felt relieved 
to learn when about starting that his friend was 
asleep. Kate could explain or avoid explaining his 
absence better than he could himself. 

At the Bow Street station Carden met Inspector 
Prime, and read to him that part of Miss Fleming’s 
letter relating to the locket. 

After making careful note of this the inspector 
informed Carden that Blount had returned and was 
working on an advertisement which had appeared 
lately in the various London and Liverpool news- 
papers. He would have Blount call at Carden’s 
hotel that evening, as there might be some questions 
to ask which did not occur to him (the inspector) at 
that time. 

As appointed, Blount called at the Bridge Hotel 
that evening. He had only seen Carden once and 
barely knew him, but knowing the friendship existing 
between Martin and Carden, had no reluctance about 
giving the latter a detailed account of his work since 
leaving London for Dublin and Antwerp. 

On reaching Dublin be found without the slightest 
trouble that Mr. Hall had just returned from Antwerp, 


104 


HAKKY BLOUNT, 


but the most tborougb search in Amsterdam — that 
city of diamond dealers and cutters — whence he had 
gone from Antwerp, failed to show that Hall had had 
dealings with any of them. He did find that a 
man answering Hall’s description had been there — but 
that was all. 

Blount then showed Carden the two advertise- 
ments, at the same time informing him that he 
knew them to be Hall’s. 

“ You see — he’s getting anxious ! ” said Blount. 
“ In the second he names a specific sum — and quite a 
large one too. Then again, he omits reference to that 
mysterious undergarment. I expect to receive full 
information regarding the missing property to-night. 
The chambermaid and his valet whom he engaged in 
Dublin, both belong to us. Yes,” he continued, 
noting Garden’s surprise, “ yes, they both belong to 
us, and yet I don’t believe we could stop him if he 
wished to leave the country to-morrow.” 

“ Then you don’t regard this locket affair as of 
much importance?” asked Carden, very much dis- 
appointed. 

“ Not alone. You see, Mr. Carden, he frankly 
acknowledges that he found it and lately lost it. It 
may have been stolen or lost from the chain. Still, 


THE DETECTIVE. 


105 


taken in connection with other points, it may prove 
of the greatest importance.” 

Shortly after Blount left to meet Hall’s valet, and 
Carden made a flying visit to Hanley Hall. They 
arranged to meet the following day, for the purpose 
of informing Carden, up to the last moment before he 
returned to Ireland, of what had occurred. 

Carden arrived late and was surprised to find that 
neither Mrs. Stafford nor Miss Fleming had retired. 
The former look troubled and the latter had evidently 
been trying to console her, 

Carden soon learned th^ cause of the trouble. A 
letter from Hall to Mrs. Stafford had been received that 
evening. It enclosed a»nother to Mr. Stafford, which 
she was requested to forward to him. The letter to 
Mr. Stafford was unsealed — probably left so purposely 
— and Mrs. Stafford, unfortunately for her peace of 
mind, read it. 

The letter set forth in plain terms that the writer 
had returned from Ireland for the purpose of marry- 
ing Kate Stafford, and with the expectation of find- 
ing everything ready for the marriage ; whereas, on 
his arrival, he not only found no preparations being 
made, but father and daughter were gone on an indefi- 
nite visit. 

Mr. Stafford could take his choice of seeing the 


106 


HAllRY BLOUNT, 


engagement fulfilled at once, or of having the over- 
due mortgages held by Hall foreclosed and Hanley 
Hall in the possession of a stranger. 

Mrs. Stafford was in great distress. It was the first 
intimation she had received of her husband’s finan- 
cial troubles, and a woman almost invariably loses her 
head in anything of that kind. 

Carden’s arrival was most fortunate. Finding his 
aunt knew nothing of the matter, he told her he would 
take charge of the letter, as he was returning to Ire- 
land next day, and assured her there was no occasion 
to worry. Finding it impossible to convince her in 
regard to this, he finally revealed what he had 
intended to keep secret until after his marriage to 
Miss Fleming; namely, that since meeting Martin he 
had become very wealthy. 

“ And Aunt,” he continued, “ Dick — I mean Mr. 
Martin, could buy the place twice over, so don’t 
worry 1 He has risked his life for mine, and if my 
money is not sufficient I know his is at my com- 
mand. As for this fellow, I shall write to him for 
you that as the time for the marriage has not arrived 
he need not complain. When the time comes he will 
find everything prepared ! ” 

Carden’s words did much to reassure Mrs. Stafford, 
and she retired in a fairly good frame of mind. Misa 


THE DETECTIVE. 


107 


Fleming accompanied her, pausing at the door to 
shake her finger threateningly at her disconsolate 
lover. 

Mext morning, immediately after breakfast, and 
after a short but not all stormy interview with Miss 
Fleming, Carden left for London. 

At Bow Street he found that nothing had been 
heard from Blount since the previous day. Being 
anxious to get back to Naas, Carden left a note, for 
Blount and started at once for Liverpool. 


108 


HARRY BLOUNT 


CHAPTEE XVII. 

The main cause of the letter received by Mrs. 
Stafford was a scheming little attorney named Jacobs, 
who just managed to keep within the pale of the law, 
and over whom Hall held powerful influence. 
At the end of the second week’s advertising Hall 
consulted Jacobs pretty freely in regard to his affairs, 
telling him that important papers, including a will 
bequeathing considerable property to the lady to 
whom he was engaged to be married, had been stolen 
from him ; that he had offered every inducement for 
the return of the stolen property without avail, and 
did not expect that they would ever come to light ; 
that as a matter of fact the receptacle in which the 
papers were concealed would not be apt to reveal 
their presence, and the thief or thieves had probably 
thrown it away as worthless. 

Mr. Jacobs inquired how his client had arrived at 
this conclusion, and was informed that five times the 
value of the articles taken had been offered for their 
return. 

Mr. Hall did not, of course, tell Jacobs all he 


THE DETECTIVE. 


109 


knew. They would have been on equal footing had 
he done so, and could hang each other ; but when he 
had finished as much as he cared to tell, Mr. Jacobs 
assured bim that the loss of the papers, under the 
circumstances, would make no great difference. It 
would cause more trouble and expense — not a great 
deal — but as Hall knew almost the exact wording of 
it (the will) and as one of the witnesses, a man who 
made his mark instead of writing his name, was 
still alive there would be no trouble in proving a 
similar will which he (Jacobs) could get up — of 
course for a moderate consideration. 

Jacobs talked plausibly — in fact almost the exact 
truth, and finally Hall wrote the letter mentioned in 
the last chapter. 

Immediately on receipt of Mrs. Stafford’^ answer, 
written by Carden as though at her dictation. Hall 
proceeded to prepare for his wedding — hi^rst act by 
way of preparation being to direct^acobs to go 
ahead and prepare .jhp_will^_-giv1^ him a pencil 
draft, with names and places blank. 

The time fixed for the wedding was but ten days 
off, and Hall’s second act of preparation was in the 
way of retrenchment. He discharged his valet — who 
immediately reported the fact to Blount — and then 
instructed Messrs. Jones & Jones to close out his 


110 


HAKKY BLOUNT, 


interest in the Hanley Hall mortgages for whatever 
they would bring, deducting six months’ interest. 
He held just two, amounting together to £5,000, and 
the Messrs. Jones found a purchaser in short order 
at two-thirds of the face value — themselves. 

He was now in possession of considerable ready 
money, the prospect ahead looked bright, and it only 
required fairly good luck for a few days and he 
would be sharer in, if not sole possessor of, immense 
wealth. The plain blunt letter from Carden reassured 
him as to the intentions of the Staffords, and he be- 
came once more the calm, elegant gentleman that he 
was at the time of his first appearance at Hanley Hall. 

He was beginning to believe that the stolen papers 
would not come to light again, as he had told 
Jacobs, and there was nothing to bother him but the 
loss of his money — for it may as well be stated that 
Hall had lost a very large sum in notes, together with 
a large draft, on the night of the robbery. The draft 
was now overdue and Hall had managed to find out 
that it had not been presented for payment. For 
obvious reasoDS he had not attempted to stop pay- 
ment, but the fact that it had not been presented did 
much to strengthen his belief that the draft, together 
with the papers with which it was hidden, were lost 
or destroyed. 


tHE DETECTIVE. 


Ill 


True, lie had ugly thoughts and ugly dreams at 
times, and had at all times a vague idea of being 
dogged ; but now the excitement of the big game he 
was playing kept his thoughts pretty well engaged 
during the day, and whiskey ensured relief from them 
at night. The strain was a heavy one, however, and 
his nerves were by no means as steady as when he 
was introduced to the reader. Neither whiskey nor 
crimes make good nerve food. 

Three days before that set for the wedding Hall’s 
shattered nerves received a severe shock. He was in 
a restaurant which he frequented evenings, and over- 
heard the following conversation : — 

“ I say, George I Did you hear about that thing at 
Baring’s to-day ? ” 

“ Can’t say ! What was it ? 

“ A fellow who was afterwards recognized as a 
notorious thief presented a draft for some large 
amount — I’ve forgotten what it was — but at all events 
the cashier had been expecting it for over a week and 
the delay in presenting it kept the thing fresh in his 
mind — worried him, you know. Well, to cut it short, 
he asked some question or other and the answer made 
him rather suspicious. So instead of paying the 
draft he signalled one of their detectives, who im- 
mediately recognized the fellow and took him in 


112 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


custody. They’re trying now to find the owner of the 
draft.” 

The conversation ended here, the two young men, 
bank clerks evidently, having finished eating. 

Hall sat for a short time debating what he should 
do, and decided that for a short time he had better 
quit the country. He did not care to become promi- 
nent in the public view just at present. If things 
went right he could afford to lose the money — and 
right or wrong, it was not safe to claim it. Indeed, if 
the matter was followed furthur than the bankers 
who sold the draft, it was pretty certain to be found 
that it was the proceeds of the sale of diamonds. 

Again, if the thief confessed where and how he 
had obtained the draft, he (Hall) was bound to come 
prominently into view. So, on the whole. Hall 
thought it best to quit the country for a while. 

His nervousness on reaching Harley Street was so 
marked that the chamber-maid paid particular atten- 
tion while he informed his landlady that he must 
leave town that night. Business of great importance 
demanded his presence on the Continent — and before 
Hall had finished packing-up Mr. Blount was waiting 
for him across the street. 

Hall wrote a couple letters before starting, one 
being to Mrs. Stafford requesting that she should 


THE DETECTIVE. 


113 


notify her husband and Kate that owing to business 
of the utmost importance and urgency the wedding 
must be postponed. As soon as he reached his des- 
tination he would be in position to say when he 
would be able to return. 

Hall mailed the letters in the first box he came 
across, hailed a cab, and was driven rapidly to the 
,Euston Square station. Blount was not prepared for 
this move, but caught the order “ Euston Square,” and 
catching the first hansom that came along followed as 
fast as possible. 

At Euston Square sharp inquiry elicited the fact 
pretty surely that Hall had bought a ticket for 
Dover, and Blount caught the next train arriving 
three hours later — for the same place. 

Blount was not particularly worried about, missing 
Hall, feeling sure his man had gone to Dover, and 
knowing what the latter had probably forgotten — that 
there wa's no boat until late next day. 

At the first hotel in Dover he found Hall regis- 
tered, and after making sure he had really retired, sat 
up with the clerk all night — there would be no such 
slip this time as was made at Liverpool. 

It was quite late when Hall made his appearance 
next morning, but Blount never stirred until he saw 
him enter the dining-room. Then he, too, entered 
8 


114 HARRY BLotN'i’/ 

and made a meal, timed to finish, exactly witli 
Hall’s. 

Hall went to his room and did not leave it until 
late in the afternoon. He then proceeded to the 
dock, bought a ticket for Calais, and was about to 
board the steamer when Blount tapped him on the 
shoulder ; 

You can’t leave, Mr. Hall ! ” he said. 

Hall turned quickly and asked “ Why not ? ” 

“ Because I have a warrant for your arrest.” 

“For what? ” demanded Hall, turning color. 

“ Duelling! Your opponent is badly hurt and you 
must come back to London. If you wish to see the 
warrant here you can do so, but it will be better to 
come back to the hotel. I can show it there to your- 
self — here it would create excitement.” 


iHE detective. 


115 


CHAPTER XVIII. 

A BRILLIANT idea had occurred to Blount as he was 
on his way to Dover. He had really nothing, as he 
had told Carden, in the matter he was prosecuting, on 
which to prevent Hall from leaving England, and on 
the way down he worried considerably as to how he 
could keep his man from getting on foreign soil. 
Suddenly the duel flashed across his brain, and before 
Hall arose in the morning he had by means of mes- 
sengers obtained a warrant from a Dover magistrate. 
He waited, however, until Hall was about to board 
the boat, before using it, to make sure that that gen- 
tleman actually intended to quit the country. ' 

As may be imagined Hall was startled on being 
informed that he was under arrest, and relieved on 
learning the cause. Even if his opponent should die 
it would not be as bad as what he had at first 
expected, and he accompanied Blount back to the 
hotel in a frame of mind rather cheerful than other- 
wise. 

At the hotel Blount took Hall to a room and 
showed him the warrant. It was all in proper order, 


116 


SABKY BLOUNT, 


as far as Hall could tell, and he could make no objec- 
tion to being placed in Dover jail. He would have 
an examination next morning, Blount assured him, 
after he had been locked up, meantime could he do 
anything for him. He, of course, had no feeling in 
the matter, except perhaps sympathy — for after all it 
was not really classed as a crime by society — or if a 
crime it was certainly that of many a noble gentle- 
man for ages past. 

The tone was as sympathetic as the words were 
frank, for Blount could talk when occasion warranted ; 
but if he expected to gain Mr. Hall’s confidence 
through his little speech, he must have felt sorely 
disappointed. 

Mr. Hall wanted nothing except liberty, and that 
Blount could not give him. However, Mr. Blount 
would oblige him by sending for his attorney, Mr. 
Isaac Jacobs, No. 4 Fleet Street, London, for he 
(Hall) could really not afford to waste time in Dover. 

If Blount was disappointed in his effort to gain 
Hall’s confidence, he found a crumb of comfort in 
knowing he was connected with Mr. Jacobs; for 
Blount knew the attorney and his record quite well, 
nearly as well as Hall himself. 

The telegram was sent without delay, and Jacobs 
came at once, arriving at Dover late the same night. 


THE DETECTIVE. 117 

Blount met him accidentally at the entrance to his 
hotel, the nearest to the station. 

‘‘Ah! Good evening Mr. Jacobs! Down to see 
our friend, I suppose? ” 

Jacobs was almost as startled as his client had been 
on meeting Blount, but having nothing particular to 
fear at the moment, like his client, quickly recovered 
himself. 

“ Yes, Mr. Blount,” he replied. “ Are you the party 
in charge ? ” 

“Well, I suppose it might be put that way. But 
really I’m not much interested or posted as far as the 
case goes. A message came across from Dublin 
yesterday that there had been a duel fought some- 
where over in that land of fun and fighting, and one 
of the principals badly hurt. 

The party vranted was our friend Hall, and I was 
sent after him and got him here just as he was about 
starting. I suppose he will be held until we can get 
further particulars from the other side, and then we 
will send him back.” 

Mr. Blount, as may have been remarked, could talk 
a long time and say a whole lot without telling any- 
thing to his auditor. 

Mr. Jacobs, however, knew Mr. Blout, and while the 


118 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


latter had not actually wasted his breath, he did not 
learn much from the attorney. 

‘‘ Of course, as I was sent for I came at once,” said 
Jacobs, “ but I cannot see that any thing can be done 
here if the trouble occurred in Ireland. As for hold- 
ing him for further information, I don’t know that you 
can do that either. However, I can say nothing until 
I have seen my client.” 

As a matter of fact Blount had no legal evidence 
of the duel. He had, of course, heard of it, and from 
more than one source, but no official information had 
reached London or any other police office. Blount 
knew, therefore, that Hall would be instantly dis- 
charged as soon as the examination was held, which 
if Mr. Jacobs had his way, as he was pretty certain 
to, would be next morning. How to prevent the 
hearing puzzled him, and he sat for several hours 
endeavoring to find a way out of the difficulty. At 
length a desperate expedient occurred to him. The 
magistrate who had issued the warrant was neither 
particularly bright nor learned in the law, but he was 
most decidedly obstinate, and held Scotland Yard men 
in great esteem, not to say reverence. It had 
suddenly occurred to Blount to take this worthy 
gentleman into his confidence, and although it was 
past midnight, he acted on the idea at once. 


THE DETECTIVE. 


119 


Justice Holland was considerably surprised and at 
first annoyed at being disturbed at this late hour, but 
Blount assured him that nothing except the import- 
ance of his business would excuse his call, and forth- 
with unfolded a tale that made the magistrate forget 
his annoyance, and he readily agreed to be unable to 
see the law as Mr. Jacobs did next day — if it became 
necessary to listen to that gentleman. . 

Feeling sure of Hall for at least another day, Blount 
now set the telegraph wire at work and commenced 
sending telegrams in every direction — London, Dublin, 
Naas and Hanley Hall — with strict injunctions to the 
operator to see that he was not kept waiting for 
answers should any arrive by telegraph. 

There was only the ordinary number of cases to be 
tried b}^ Justice Holland the next day, but the Court 
officers and regular visitors were fairly astonished at 
the care and time he spent over even a plain, ordinary 
drunk. He inquired into every thing concerning the 
present case and all previous ones, if any. ^ 

It was long past the usual hour for adjourning 
Court, and seeing that more than half the calendar 
still remained untried Jacobs began to grow uneasy. 
He cursed the “stupidity’’ of the justice, who was 
spending more time on the simplest case that came 
before him than a London magistrate would occupy in 


120 


HAKRY BLOUNT, 


disposing of the entire calendar, and strangely enough, 
Hall’s case was the last on the list. 

At length he grew so impatient that he addressed 
the Court and asked if his case could not be taken 
up at once. It was an important one, he said, and 
involved the liberty of a reputable and responsible 
gentleman whose important business was suffering 
through his absence, and he must demand an imme- 
diate hearing. The Court listened calmly, then in- 
formed Mr. Jacobs that his case would be taken up 
in the regular order, and that his client would cer- 
tainly have a fair and speedy hearing. After which 
the Court proceeded with the trial of more cases. 
At length, however, the Court could stand it no lon- 
ger. The announcement was made that no more 
cases would be tried that day, that witnesses should 
be on hand at the regular hour next morning, and 
notwithstanding the vigorous protests of Mr. Jacobs 
the Court adjourned. 

Mr. Jacobs vowed he would compel a speedy hear- 
ing. He would get out a writ of hdbeas-corpus^ and 
did, too, but Blount had gained his point and Hall 
was kept in custody another day. 


THE DETECTIVE. 


121 


CHAPTEE XIX. 

When Carden returned to Ireland he found Martin, 
although still very weak, progressing rapidly. As 
predicted by Mrs. Moran, he had improved stead- 
ily since bis nurses were changed — not that Julia 
was not a kind and attentive one, but then, she 
was not Kate to Martin. He was now able to sit up 
and no particular restraint was placed on his talking 
provided the subject was not too exciting. 

Immediately on his arrival Carden communicated 
to his uncle the contents of the letters received by 
Mrs. Stafford from Hall, and inquired whether Mr. 
Stafford knew what mortgages Hall actually held — 
at the same time assuring him that in his opinion 
there was no reason to worry. Mr. Stafford knew 
nothing, except that he had always paid his interest 
to Messrs. Jones & Jones and that they had been very 
lenient up to the last application he had made for 
time. He related what Hall had told him about the 
way he came to be the possessor of the mortgages, 
and that was all he knew. Carden then proposed 
consulting Martin, but Mr. Stafford objected. He did 


122 


HAREY BLOUNT, 


not care to have a stranger — and after all Martin was 
only a stranger — so intimate with his affairs. 

Although Mr. Stafford would not consent to con- 
sulting Martin in regard to the mortgages until it be- 
came absolutely necessary, Carden in relating what ^ 
had occurred during his illness, could not avoid 
some mention of them. 

Martin, however, made no comment regarding the 
mortgages. He did not speak for a few minutes, 
but when he did he startled Carden. 

“Fred,” he said, in his quiet determined way, “I 
must get back to London at once. There is a great 
deal to be done before the time for this marriage 
arrives, and nothing can be accomplished by sitting 
here waiting, like Micawber, for something to turn up. 

If anything does turn up it will not be to our advant-. 
age, and I shall be better doing something than 
idling here. So I’m off by to-night’s boat.” 

Carden looked aghast on hearing this, but know- 
ing the utter uselessness of objection, simply said : 

“Very well, Dick. But don’t you think it would 
be wise to hear what the doctor has to sav about 
it?” 

After looking at his watch, Martin replied : 

“ Well, as I can’t get away until evening I see no 


THE DETECTIVE. 


123 


objection to that ; but, Fred, you know it will not 
make a particle of difference.” 

Fred knew this perfectly well, so making an ex- 
cuse to get out, he set about trying to learn in 
advance what the doctor would say, and if possible, 
prevent his, (Martin’s) departure. 

He called on Doctor Fox^ and when he had told 
his story the physician simply laughed at the idea of 
Martin attempting to get off that evening. “ Why, 
he must be out of his head again ! ” he exclaimed. 
“ The man is as weak as a child, and would die 
from sheer exhaustion before he reached Dublin.” 

“ But he will go nevertheless unless we can devise 
some means of preventirig him. You don’t quite 
know your patient. Doctor. I do, and I’m very 
sorry I did not consult you before telling him certain 
things which I should have known would have re- 
sulted in this determination of his to go to London.” 

“ Oh ! And so, in spite of my warning, you have 
been talking business to him — eh? Well, sir, al- 
low me to tell you that if your friend starts to-day 
or to-night, or any other time for several days, he 
will be on his last journey as sure as fate! While 
outwardly a cool, calm fellow, he is of a highly nerv- 
ous temperament, and were it not for that he would 
go to sleep this afternoon and not awake until after 


124 


HARKY BLOUNT, 


tlie train had gone. That would be my course with 
an ordinary obstreperous patient, but with your 
friend it would be equally as bad as allowing him 
to go.” 

“ But what are we to do ? ” asked Carden helplessly. 

“I don’t know exactly what to say,” replied the 
doctor, slowly. “ By the way ! What relations^ 
may I ask, exist between your cousin and your 
friend ? Are they engaged? ” 

Carden seemed struck by the suggestion contained 
in the doctor’s question. 

“ No — I wish they were ! My cousin, I may tell 
you in confidence, Doctor, is engaged to the man with 
whom Dick fought, but it was not on her account, 
fortunateljL” 

“Phew ! ” whistled the doctor. “ Then, my friend, 
for some reason, you may depend upon it, she’s 
engaged to the wrong man! There’s more in this 
than appears on the surface. Your cousin is a very 
deep girl and not easily seen through, but engaged or 
not, your only hope of stopping your friend is through 
her. Consult her if you have an opportunity — I can 
do nothing but warn him, and that you tell me will be 
waste of breath. Still, it’s my duty to do it, and I 
shall take care that it’s done in her presence. It’s 


THE DETECTIVE. 126 

now about time for my call. You go ahead and see 
that she is there when I arrive.” 

Carden departed at once, and on returning to the 
inn found Kate reading to Martin, who was lying back 
in his chair before the open window, with half closed 
eyes, drinking in the balmy air and the musical tones 
of the reader at the same time — the last man in the 
world one would suspect of contemplating a sudden, 
and, to an invalid, long and rough journey. 

On Carden’s entrance the reading ceased, Martin 
came back to earth, and the three entered into con- 
versation, which continued until the doctor’s arrival. 

Doctor Fox made a more careful examination of 
Martin than usual and announced the result. 

“You are doing very well, and will be all right 
again in a few days, provided you keep very quiet 
and do not attenipt too much. Over exertion just 
now would ruin everything and throw you right back 
to the starting point — perhaps kill you.” 

“Yes,” assented Martin, “I am feeling the result 
of your skill and the care of my watchful nurse, who 
will scarcely allow me to breathe, except in accord- 
ance with your orders.” 

Carden and Kate smiled, as did the speaker himself, 
but the doctor preserved his gravity. The turn of the 
conversation did not suit him, and he saw plainly 


126 HARUY BLOtr:^!^, 

Martin intended to avoid the subject of the trip to 
London. 

“ Do not underestimate the care of your watchful 
nurse, Mr. Martin,” he said, very gravely. “ But for 
that care I do not know that I could do much for you. 
And be careful that you do not overestimate the im- 
provement that has taken place.” 

“ So Fred’s been telling you about it ! ” commenced 
Martin, looking significantly toward Kate. 

Ignoring the look and speaking to his patient but 
at the nurse, the doctor replied : 

“ If by ‘ it ’ you mean your mad idea of making a 
trip to London in your present helpless condition, he 
has, and it is my duty to warn you that such a trip 
would result in your death — even before reaching your 
destination.” 

Martin was annoyed, and looked it. He had not 
intended that Kate should know anything up to the 
last moment of his intended trip, and to quell the 
conversation regarding it simply bowed in acknowl- 
edgment of the doctor’s warning. 

Kate, it should have been mentioned, had only the 
previous night found Martin’s letter in her pocket and 
read it. She now knew his secret — and her own too — 
but as she reached the end of the letter she saw that 
it was intended to have been sent her only in the 


DEfilCTitEl. 


12 ? 


event of the writer’s death, and now understood why 
it had been left on the table where she found it. 
Except that it had made her a little more careful, and, 
if possible, a little more tender, Kate showed no sign 
of what had been revealed by the letter. 

Doctor Fox was watching her while telling Martin 
that at present a trip to London meant death, and as 
he expected, she grew pale and looked troubled, but, 
contrary to his expectations, did not speak. He did 
not know what she had learned during the night. 
Had it been yesterday she would have joined forces 
with him and entered a vigorous protest — but it was 
to-day now. 

Carden knew it was useless to speak and he, too, 
remained silent; and driven to his last resource, the 
doctor appealed directly to Kate. 

‘‘Miss Stafford, do not you, to whom our friend is 
so deeply indebted, think it very rash, not to say 
ungrateful, to throw away the result of our labors by 
imperilling his life, as he will in taking this mad trip 
to London ? ” 

Kate raised her eyes to find Martin gazing intently 
at her. It was an unexpected encounter on both sides, 
and caused a slight blush to mantle Kate’s cheeks, 
for she felt that if her glance expressed as much as 
his, Martin had learned a great deal. 


128 


SAURY BLOUST, 


With eyes cast down she replied rather confusedly 
that she hoped Mr. Martin would not think of going 
— but, of course, he knew best what to do. 

The doctor had really taken a great liking to all of 
the party, especially Martin aud Kate, and this reply, 
so unlike what he had expected, drove him out of 
temper. 

“And you pretend to be his friends, and yet will 
allow him without protest to make this insane trip, 
knowing it will probably be his last ! I’ll be hanged 
if I can understand it ! I had certainly hoped for 
your support. Miss Stafford, but it seems you are like 
the rest, and I must wash my hands of the whole 
affair.” 

The doctor had just eased his mind when he sud- 
denly detected something coming and quickly added : 

“ Mr. Carden, I must see you down-stairs for a 
moment,” and without waiting for a reply hurried 
Carden out. 

“ Mr. Carden,” said the doctor, somewhat excitedly, 
as he hurried that astonished gentleman along, “let’s 
go right down to the bar and take something to 
drink ! You may not have been aware of it, but I’ve 
taken a great fancy to our friend and your cousin I I 
have, by George I And we must take a drink on 
it I ” 


THE DETECTIVE. 


129 


“But what the deuce has that got to do with it? ” 
asked Carden, beginning to think the doctor had 
already had too much. 

“ Everything, my boy, everything 1 Our friend Las 
by this time very sensibly decided not to go to Lon- 
don at present ! — Two more, please.^^ This last to the 
barmaid. 

“Yes,’’ he continued, answering Carden’s glance, 
“ yes, my dear boy, it is all settled by this time ! I 
told you she was engaged to the wrong man, and I 
was right — but that’s all over now ! ” 

Carden looked a trifle mystified at first, but as the 
doctor proceeded a light began to dawn upon him. It 
was not very clear, however. 

“ What do you mean. Doctor ? Surely you think 
that since you dragged me down here ” 

“Just what I do mean!” interrupted the doctor. 
How blind you fathers and mothers, cousins and 
brothers are I Why, if I had not dragged you down 
here, as you put it, the explosion would have taken 
place while we were there, but our presence would 
have made it premature; and like most premature 
explosions, would have resulted only in hurting all 
present — more especially the two up-stairs.” 

At this moment a messenger entered with two tele- 
grams — one for Carden, the other for Martin. 

9 


130 


HARRY 


Carden’s telegram read : 

‘‘ Have Hall here under arrest for duelling. Get me 
official information of fight — see O’Brien. 

Blount.” 

With the telegram as an excuse Carden was about 
to return to Martin’s rooms, when the doctor stopped 
him, saying very earnestly: 

“ Hold on, Mr. Carden ! You appeared anxious only 
a short time ago to stop Martin from leaving here. 
He has now, I firmly believe, abandoned that idea. 
Do you want to start him again with that ? ” indicat- 
ing the telegram. As Carden stopped hesitatingly he 
continued with a humorous look : “ And, besides, you 
should have some regard for their feelings. Just put 
yourself in his or her place and imagine anyone 
intruding so quickly ! ” 

“ Bosh ! ” was the irritable response of Carden, but 
he sat down with the doctor and joined that gentle- 
man in disposing of some bitter beer — ’’just to pass 
away the time.” 

This is what happened up-stairs. 

Doctor Fox had scarcely dragged Carden out of the 
room before Kate burst into tears. Martin was start- 
led by this sudden outburst of emotion and was very 
much troubled. It was no slight cause that forced 


THE DETECTIVE. 


131 


such an exhibition of emotion from so reserved and 
proud a girl as Kate. As the crying increased Martin 
become more troubled, and after a^momentary strug- 
gle surrendered. 

Walking over to her with more strength and firm- 
ness than he had shown since being wounded, Martin 
raised her up, and taking her in his arms kissed her. 
She seemed to know what was coming, for from be- 
hind her handkerchief came a tear-stained face wear- 
ing an hysterical smile to receive his salute. 

“You will not go away,” she said, not inquiringly. 

“Ko — of course not, since it troubles you.” 

: That was all. There was no giving or asking. 
No questioning the right of one or the submission 
of the other. It was all decided from the moment 
Martin had arisen from his chair — although he knew 
nothing about the letter. 

After a half hour Doctor Fox yielded to Carden 
and knocked at Martin’s door. On entering both saw 
at once that something unusual had happened. Kate 
had removed all traces of her recent emotion and 
looked exceedingly bright and happy. Martin looked 
very complacent, his face wore a happy smile, arid the 
mingled air of pride and ownership with which he 
now and then looked at Kate tickled the doctor 
immensely. 


132 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


“I have to crave jonv pardon for our hurrying 
away,” said the doctor, immediately on entering, “ but 
I really had something of importance to say to Mr. 
Carden.” 

“ All right. Doctor ! ” replied Martin, and as he tore 
open the telegram exclaimed: “ By Jupiter I What 
does this mean ? ” 

“Well, what is to be done?” asked Carden. 
“ You are the only person in the place capable of 
giving the authorities the necessary information. 
O’Brien is away in some horrible place with a worse 
name; the surgeon skipped off as soon as he thought 
you were going to die, and Carroll is off* in Scotland 
shooting. You are the only one left to give the 
information.” 

“ And from me it will never be obtained ! I was 
a fool to go into the thing at all, but my being a fool 
is no reason that he should be punished. It was per- 
fectly fair and he took greater chances than I did — 
though he was not aware of it.” 

“ Good I ” exclaimed the doctor.” 

Kate smiled approval. Carden gave it up. 


THE DETECTIVE. 


183 


CHAPTER XX. 

When Mr. Jacobs threatened to obtain that all- 
powerful friend of the prisoner, a writ of habeas 
corpus^ Detective Blount, although then without the 
evidence necessary to hold Hall for trial, did not 
feel very much concerned. He felt certain his tele- 
grams would procure enough evidence to warrant the 
prisoner’s commitment for trial, but he had a very 
close shave for' it, and the immediate evidence came 
through an unexpected and almost unknown party 

Miss Fleming. 

His reply came from Dublin — nothing was known 
there and O’Brien had not reported for forty-eight 
hours. He was engaged in another matter. 

Next came Carden’s reply for both Martin and 
himself: Martin too ill. Doctor forbids talking of 

the matter. O’Brien not here.” 

Blount looked angry and disappointed — and then 
came Miss Fleming, just fifteen minutes before he was 
to go to Court — and with her a big good-looking 
country squire, who was only too happy to escort her 
to Dover. 


134 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


Miss Fleming immediately proceeded to business, 
and with a directness that excited Blount’s admira- 
tion. After making sure he was the right party, she 
laid two letters before him^ 

“ Those,” she said, “ contain the information, I 
think, that you asked for. They are from Mr. Mar- 
tin, and say that he is about to fight with that horrid 
Hall. At the end of each is a short note from a Mr. 
O’Brien, saying Mr. Martin was seriously hurt. The 
letters were sent to Mr. Stafford and — Mr. Carden, 
and they are with Mr. Martin now.” 

After examining the letters Blount asked : 

“ Miss Fleming, would you object to being a witness 
against Hall, if it becomes necessary ? 

She hesitated a little but finally said if it would 
help her friends in any way she “ would try,” 

It was not necessary, however ; for the prosecuting 
attorney, armed with the letters and telegrams and a 
witness ready to identify him, had no difficulty in hav- 
ing Hall committed for trial — without bail, owing to 
Carden’s alarming telegram. 

Having Hall, now, where he could lay his hand on 
him when required, Blount accompanied Miss Flem- 
ing and Mr. Gerard, her escort, as far as Manchester, 
and then hurried on to London. No matter how the 
trial for duelling turned out — and he shrewdly sus- 


THE DETECTIVE. 


185 


pected Martin would refuse to appear in it — tliere was 
a great deal to be done before it came on. 

The first news he received in London was regarding 
the stolen draft presented at Baring’s. Being detailed 
specially for Martin’s matter, this was given as news 
and not as bearing on his case, as was the additional 
fact that no trace could be found of the owner, who 
was now supposed to have been murdered. 

Blount in a professional way asked who was the 
thief and the amount of the draft. 

The reply rather startled him. The thief was well 
known to him as a friend of daggers, and the amount 
of the draft twelve thousand pounds. Then Blount 
did some very brilliant thinking, which resulted in 
his calling on the man who had presented the draft. 

“ Hello, Sanders ! Got you again, have they ! I 
say ! What did daggers do with the rest of the 
stuff? ” Mr. Blount asked, carelessly. 

“ How do I know? Blast ” Mr. Sanders stop- 

ped suddenly. He had steadily refused to talk so far, 
but his week’s imprisonment had not improved an 
unusually bad temper, and it had got the better of 
him. 

Mr. Blount could be a perfect dob’s comforter when 
occasion required, as is proved by the following : 

‘‘Well — you’ve put your foot in it this time, I’m 


136 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


afraid. IVe been away for a week or two — only got 
back to-day and beard of this. They have yon 
straight enough on the draft, bnt that’s nothing — only 
a few years. The other is ‘ life,’ or worse.” 

“Why, don’t yon know they’ve got it down for 
murder now ? Oh ! yon are in for it I’m afraid, as 
soon as daggers gives np. They haven’t fonnd the 
body yet, bnt, of conrse, that’s pretty near certain to 
come to light. It’s only a matter of time.” 

Sanders was no fool — at any rate not fool enongh 
to engage in any affair involving mnrder, and in spite 
of himself became interested. 

“ What are yon talking abont ? ” he demanded. 

“ Abont the finding of the body of the man yon 
took the draft from. The draft itself, of conrse, 

amonnts to only a few years, but the other Here ! 

I’ve got to see a friend of mine almost as bad off as 
yourself. Take this paper — it will tell yon as much 
as I can ! ” and Mr. Blount hurried away to the end 
of the corridor, and then sat down and talked to the 
turnkey for half an hour. 

Sanders was an educated man and came of good 
family. Drink had been the primary cause of this 
and his previous troubles, bnt he had never been 
involved in anything even approaching mnrder, and 
when Blount had gone he seized the paper and read a 


THE DETECTIVE. 


137 


long story of the crime supposed to be connected with 
his possession of the draft. News had not been too 
plentiful, and the editor had given full scope to the 
reporter’s imagination. The police were close on the 
heels of the missing murderer, so the paper asserted, 
and he or the one in custody, it was expected, would 
divulge the story of the crime. 

Sanders read the story eagerly and looked consid- 
erably worried by it, Blount’s little story fitted in so 
nicely. 

Suddenly Blount appeared at the door of the cell. 

“Well, through with the paper, Sanders? ” he 
asked, and as it was handed back: “You were a most 
infernal fool to put your hand into anything with 
blood in it. Such fellows as Jaggars and ‘ The Knifer ’ 
(Sanders started) take chances of that kind right 
along, and are bound to come to the rope in the end — 
but they are little better than brutes, while you are 
a man of education. But I must be off! May see 
you again in a day or two — Good-bye.” 

And having left Sanders with plenty of food for 
reflection, Blount left the prison in high glee. 

“ I’ll get that thousand pounds yet,” he muttered 
as he passed out, “ and by the merest fluke, too. 
And ‘The Knifer’ is in it, eh 1 Well, well 1 To think 


138 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


of playing it on an intelligent chap like Sanders — 
but they are all fools, every one of them.” 

Thus communing with himself Blount, walked rap- 
idly in the direction of “ Blind Jim’s ; ” but once in 
the neighborhood, proceeded at a leisurely gait to 
that den. As those who frequented the place were 
all night owls of the worst type, there were but few 
present when Blount entered, and daggers was not 
among them. 

The last time Blount visited daggers, the latter 
became a person of importance because of his intimacy 
with him, and it occurred to Blount that he could per- 
haps get something out of “ Blind Jim ” on the 
strength of this apparent intimacy. 

There were no love lost between the proprietor and 
the police — especially that portion of it represented 
in the person of Blount — but he bowed obsequiously 
as the latter approached. 

“ I want to meet daggers again — where is he ? ” 
said Blount, after declining an offer of “ something,” 
and ignoring an inquiry as to his health. 

As may be supposed “ Blind Jim ” knew of daggers’ 
last bit of business, and hesitated a moment before 
answering that he did not know. 

daggers had become very drunk after Blount had 
gone away the last time the latter called, and had 


’THE DETECTIVE. 


139 


told the proprietor of the den that he had put Blount 
up to a big thing. Eernembrance of this made Jim 
add that daggers had been there the previous night 
for the first time in a couple of weeks, and was very 
drunk when he left. 

“ When you see him again, say I want to see him 
about that matter. He will know what I mean — I 
think I will take some beer. ” 

This chimed in exactly with daggers’ story, and 
induced “ Jim ” to say : 

“ Suppose I make it a quart o’ bitter, Mr. Blount, 
an take it over to ‘ Hell ’ — you know her ? She ’n 
daggers went out together last night.” 

Blount assented to the proposition, but a ten min- 
utes conversation with ‘Hell’ proved conclusively 
that she knew nothing about daggers, except that he 
appeared to have plenty of money, and was living with 
“The Knifer,” “down Blackwall way.” 

This was something, however, and Blount left 
“ Blind Jim’s ” fairly well satisfied. He had not 
expected to find daggers there, and was rather grati- 
fied that he had not. It proved that daggers was in 
hiding — otherwise why abandon his old haunts ? 

That night every officer in London and the out- 
lying districts had an accurate description of daggers 
and “ The Knifer,” with orders to arrest them. 


140 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


CHAPTER XXI. 

Chance favored Blount again next day. He was 
walking along toward Newgate, undecided whether 
to call on Sanders or try “down Blackwall way,’^ 
when he met a brother detective. “ Hello Morgan ! ” 
he said, “ through with your job already ? ” 

“Yes — and so is everyone else on that job for the 
present,” replied Morgan, ruefully. 

“ Why — what’s the trouble ? ” asked Blount, sym- 
pathetically. 

“ Let’s go somewhere and I’ll tell you all about 
it.” 

They adjourned to a nearby public-house and Mor- 
gan related his trouble. 

He had been detailed to a large stationer’s to find 
out who was committing a series of petty thefts, 
and was employed as a salesman, in order to famil- 
iarize him with the place and the people. He had 
already gained some information, and would probably 
have accomplished his work, but for an accident. 
That morning he had detected a young lad pocketing 
a fancy glass paper-weight, and was about to stop and 


THE DETECTIVE. 


141 


take it from him quietly, but before he could even 
leave his place behind the counter the proprietor, who 
had also observed the theft, rushed forward and col- 
lared the boy. 

‘‘And what do you suppose the chuckle-headed 
idiot did then ? Called out, ‘ Morgan ! Morgan 1 
Why don^t you arrest this young thief? What are 
you here for ? ’ The blasted fool ! Of course that 
settled it for me — but I couldn’t have any better 
luck ! ” 

“ How’s that ? ” 

“ Oh ! I don’t know ! I’m a bit superstitious about 
some people, and this lad belonged to that little Jew 
attorney, Jacobs, and you remember when I arrested 
him two years ago I broke my leg next day jumping- 
off the train at Charing Cross. How his imp of a 
boy comes along and helps to spoil a good job I ” 

Blount sympathized, as in duty bound, and ordered 
another pot of beer. Morgan was a really bright fel- 
low, much younger than Blount, and a proteg^ of the 
latter. 

Although now interested on his own account in 
everything concerning Mr. Jacobs, it was more from 
habit than anything else Blount inquired what the 
boy wanted so far away from his employer’s office. 

“ Some peculiar kind of paper — a kind that’s ship- 


142 


HAUKY BLOUNT, 


ped a great deal to Australia and other colonies, I 
believe — and come to think of it, the youngster had 
several packages of chemicals in his pocket when 
arrested. Shouldn’t wonder if that fellow Jacobs was 
up to some knavery again. ” 

Blount was all interest in a moment, and said : 

“ Morgan, I’m on a big thing and I think I’ll ask for 
your assistance. I don’t know whether I can get it 
or not, but I’ll risk telling you to go back and see this 
youngster before reporting at the office. I will go 
there and attend to that and meet you there when you 
get back. Get everything you possibly can out of the 
boy, and if necessary promise him liberty. This may 
be an important discovery.” 

They parted, and Blount on reaching tbe “ office ” gave 
a short account of what Morgan had told him, and 
then asked for the latter’s assistance in “ the Martin 
matter,” as it was now known in police circles. 

The inspector was an old friend of Blount’s, and 
although he pretended to be tired of it, was himself 
interested in the Martin matter. 

“Yes, you can have him, I suppose, but that Mar- 
tin matter will be the death of me, I’m afraid.” And 
having fired this shot the inspector left “ for a few 
minutes,” but when Morgan entered at the end of a 
half hour he had not returned. Blount accordingly 


THE DEl'ECTlVE. 


143 


informed him that he had obtained the necessary per- 
mission. 

“ And I’ll take it on myself to say you need not wait 
to report now. Come along! We can talk as we 
walk. We must get down to Blackwall.” 

Once on the street, however, Morgan stopped him 
and hurriedly related his interview with the boy. 

“ By George 1 Morgan, this is connected with the 
Martin matter, I’ll bet a shilling 1 ” 

“What is all this gambling about? The Martin 
matter? ” asked the inspector, who had come behind 
them unobserved. 

“You’ve just hit it,” returned Blount, on seeing 
who had addressed them. “ And you must help me 
a good deal this time. Come inside.” 

The three entered, and after a hard fought battle 
Blount came ' out triumphant, and hurried Morgan 
away with this parting injunction : 

“ Do anything — plead, steal, lie, anything — but get 
the boy out before they notice his absence. When 
you are through meet me at Horn’s at Blackwall. 
How jump! ” 

Having delivered this not altogether pious exhor- 
tation, Blount walked leisurely in the direction of 
Blackwall, while his partner hurried off in the oppo- 
site direction. 


144 


HAERY BLOUNT, 


“ 1^11 get him ! I’ll get him yet — and soon, too ! ” 
ruminated Mr. Blount, and he smiled with the satis- 
faction peculiar to the man who is reaching the point 
where he proves his theory to be the correct one. 

Beaching Blackwall, he sauntered about, stopping 
occasionally when he ran across a high flavored 
public-house, asking a question here and there, and 
finally dropped in to see the inspector of the Black- 
wall district. 

This gentleman, with whom he was very well ac- 
quainted, had not as yet run across either of the men|; 
but, of course, this was only the first day that he knew 
they were wanted. Still, they must be keeping pretty 
quiet — if they were in his district— or he would have 
known something about them. 

It was now about time for Morgan to arrive, and 
bidding the inspector “good-bye” Blount strolled 
along to “Horn’s,” — the most respectable public- 
house in the district — and found his comrade await- 
ing him. 

“ Well ? ” he said, interrogatively. 

“ It’s all right ! The boy’s back at work and will 
be at my house to-morrow night, when it is expected 
Jacobs will be back. I was afraid to say to-night, 
not knowing what was on here.” 

“ Good ! ” commented Blount. 


THE DETECTIVE. 


145 


“ And let me know what I am doing — I can work 
to better advantage.’’ 

“ Correct. You shall hear it all before dark, and 
we can do nothing more until then.” 

Blount related in detail the full history of the 
Martin matter as far as he knew, and it was dark 
when he concluded his story. 

“ And now you must stay right here all the time 
until you find daggers. I’m satisfied the girl told 
me the truth to-day, and that he told her the truth 
while drunk last night. He don’t know you, so you 
can go about as you are; but I shall have to make 
a little change, so that he may not be alarmed if he 
catches sight of me first.” 

After a hearty meal Morgan engaged a room at 
Horn’s and thither they proceeded. Here Blount 
made his “little change,” which, however, w'ould 
enable him to pass his closest friend without fear of 
recognition. Being satisfied of this, he together with 
Morgan made a tour of the public-houses of high 
and low degree embraced in the Blackwall district, 
but without success. 

“Never mind,” he said, on returning to Horn’s, 
“ I’m satisfied he’s here, and we’ll get him before the 
week’s out if we look sharp. I’ll see you when you 
get back to-morrow night. Good -night.” 

10 


146 


HARRY BLOUNl", 


CHAPTER XXII. . 

Things having begun to progress favorably over 
in England we will take a trip across the Channel. 

Martin was recovering rapidly, to the great satis- 
faction of Dr. Fox, and the doctor was not alone in 
declaring that to the nurse, or nursing, or both, be- 
longed the credit of the cure. And many were the 
sly remarks and glances bestowed on the patient and 
nurse when they indulged in the now daily stroll, 
always accompanied by Carden, or the doctor, or Mr. 
Stafford — sometimes all three. 

News spreads rapidly in a small place. Each one’s 
affairs is the concern of all the rest, and from sly 
looks and remarks it began to be rumored that Miss 
Stafford and Martin were to be married as soon as 
the latter was fully recovered. A little later the 
day was fixed, and finally, a week after the engage- 
ment had been officially announced, (by the gossips), 
Mr. Stafford was almost paralyzed by being asked for 
an invitation to his daughter’s marriage. 

The request was made jestingly, and came from 


THE BIlTECTlVE. 147 

a wealthy gentleman whose acquaintance he had 
formed since arriving in Ireland. 

Notwithstanding the jesting tone, the explana- 
tion which followed awakened Mr. Stafford to tlie 
fact that there was considerable talk going on con- 
cerning his daughter and Martin. Had this gossip 
been confined to the poorer classes, he would have 
paid no attention; but the fact of this friend speaking 
of it — even in jest — proved that it was not, and he 
became rather alarmed. Mr. Stafford had the great- 
est regard for Martin, and liked him well enough to 
make that detestable trip to Ireland ; but Kate was 
already engaged to one man, and certainly must have 
cared something for him when she consented to the 
engagement, and neither Martin nor Kate must cause 
any more such talk. 

Meeting Carden, shortly after, he asked bluntly 
whether he knew anything, and related what he had 
heard, but Carden knew nothing. 

Carden did suspect a great deal, but he did not care 
to express his views on the subject, and remained 
quiet. 

Mr. Stafford was dissatisfied, and, being aroused 
now, he determined to get at the bottom of the 
matter. There being but two people left, and they 
the principals, he chose Kate as the easiest to ap- 


148 


HABRY BLOUNT, 


proacli on the subject. Here again he was disap- 
pointed ; for on telling what he had heard, she simply 
smiled. 

“Why, papa!” she said, “how ridiculous to pay 
attention to such idle talk 1 If Mr. Martin should hear 
of this he would not allow us to remain an hour. 
And you know we are considerably indebted to 
him.” 

There was no blushing or confusion — no awkward 
attempt at explanation — and Mr. Stafford was com- 
pletely crushed. Had he seen Carden, just a few 
minutes previous, telling Kate that her father would 
probably call on her shortly regarding certain queer 
stories regarding herself and Martin, and then leave 
at once without waiting to see the effect of his words, 
he would not perhaps have been crushed so com- 
pletely. She did blush then — very furiously, too. 

However, Mr. Stafford was soon relieved of “the 
infernal Irish and their confounded stories,” for in 
the course of a few days Martin, who was again be- 
coming uneasy and anxious to get back to London, 
obtained Dr. Fox’s consent to make the trip ; and in 
recognition of his kindness, as he considered it, Mar- 
tin insisted that the doctor should accompany them. 

“ I’ll make it good. Doctor,” he said. “ You can put 


THE DETECTIVE. 


149 


some other poor chap in your place, and give him a 
chance to make something.” 

And so it was arranged, with the addition of Julia 
Farrell, Martin’s first nurse. Just how to recompense 
her at present for her goodness to him he did not 
know. In the future he had something laid out for 
her, but did not care to spoil it by being premature ; 
and accordingly, to keep her in the way of doing 
better and of being in a better position than she could 
possibly reach in the “Blessert Arms,” Martin 
requested her to accompany them to England, and 
with Mrs. Mbran’s assistance persuaded her to do so. 
To Mrs. Moran he confided his intentions regarding 
Julia, and to help in carrying them out, left a message 
for O’Brien. 

The decision to start was arrived at on Thursday, 
and the time of departure fixed for Saturday morn- 
ing, to catch the night boat from Dublin and still leave 
time for a little rest before crossing the Channel. 
This was strictly in accordance with Dr. Fox’s 
schedule, and they spent an hour or two during the 
afternoon looking around Dublin. 

On returning to the hotel, they were considerably 
surprised to find O’Brien awaiting them ; even Martin, 
who had left the message for him, was a little sj^j- 
prised. For reasons of his own, Martin was pleased 


150 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


to have him with them, and the party started in very 
good spirits for England. 

The voyage was quick, and easy and uneventful, 
and immediately on arrival, and not in accordance 
with Dr. Fox’s schedule, they proceeded to Hanley 
Hall, where they received a warm welcome from every- 
body — but especially so at the Hall itself, where Mrs. 
Stafford, Miss Fleming and her late escort to Dover, 
Squire Gerard, were awaiting them. 

The three strangers, Julia, the doctor and O’Brien, 
were made especially welcome, when it was known 
the various parts they had played in conftection with 
Martin’s trouble. 

Next morning a message was received from Blount. 
Their arrival had not escaped him — at least Mar- 
tin’s had Bot, for the message was directed to him. 

The letter announced that Blount had managed to 
have Hall committed for trial ; that the trial would 
come on shortly, and desired to know whether Martin 
would be able to go to Dover to attend the trial, or if 
it would be necessary to take his testimony in writing. 
Incidentally he mentioned O’Brien’s name. 

Immediately on receipt of this letter Martin did 
two things, of one of which Blount became aware very 
quickly, and which caused him considerable irrita- 


THE DETECTIVE. 


151 


tion. The other, had he known of it, would have 
made him exceedingly angry. 

First Martin wrote a letter to Mr. Blount, informing 
him in the most distinct and emphatic style that he 
would not appear against Hall regarding the duel in 
any manner. 

Next he sent for O’Brien, who had obtained an 
extended leave of absence before starting from Dublin, 
and showed him Blount’s letter and his reply. 

“ Now, O’Brien,” he said, I know it is asking a 
great deal just at present, but I want you to go right 
to Dover and thence to Calais, where you must stay 
until this trial is over. I will let you know the very 
moment you can come back, and (with a quizzical 
smile,) I know you will not delay. Will you go? 
You understand why I ask you to do this.” 

O’Brien cheerfully volunteered to put himself out 
Blount’s reach, and started that afternoon for Dover. 


162 


HARKY BLOUNT, 


CHAPTER XXIII. 

Morgan’s efforts to find daggers were untiring and 
equally unavailing, and at the end of the first week he 
was certain daggers was not to be found in Blackwall, 
so certain that he ventured to express this belief to 
Blount. The latter, however, was equally certain 
daggers was in Blackwall. “Keep at it,” he said; 
“ you’ll run across his trail yet, although I was a 
little ahead when I said a week,” and Morgan accord- 
ingly continued the hunt. 

Blount was now in a particularly hopeful mood, and 
felt confident Morgan would unearth daggers; and he 
had obtained some interesting information concerning 
dacobs, the attorney, through the office-boy, whose 
release he had obtained for the purpose of using him 
against his employer. 

When the boy called at Morgan’s house, according 
to his promise, and Blount instead of Morgan met 
him, it required some persuasion to make him talk ; 
but he was eager enough to do so when Blount 
modestly admitted that it was to him ho owed his 


THE DETECTIVE. 


153 


liberty, and on him depended his enjoyment of it in 
the future. 

Blount then learned that the paper and chemicals 
which had been found upon the boy, were intended for 
a clerk recently employed by Mr. Jacobs, for what 
purpose the boy did not know, except that they were 
to be used in copying some papers. Did he know 
the contents of the papers or their character ? No, 
nothing, except that Mr. Hall had left them with 
Mr. Jacobs. 

That was all Blount could get out of the boy at the 
first meeting. 

“ Now, Henry,” he said, when the boy had finished, 
“this stealing business of yours is only postponed, 
but if you do as I bid you, it will never come up 
again. If you don’t you will certainly go to jail, and 
in short order.” 

Henry was only too eager to promise to do any- 
thing to prevent his re-arrest, and Blount continued : 

“Very well, Henry, we’ll see how you get on. 
Now then! You get to the office first in the morning 
— don’t you? Yes — well, to-morrow morning be 
there particularly early and make a rough copy of 
the papers this new clerk is working on. If you can’t 
copy all, read the rest carefully so that you can tell 
what it is about, and copy the balance next mo^’n- 


154 


HAKRY BLOUNT, 


ing. Then you must get me a sheet of the paper and 
a few drops of the ink. If you do all this correctly 
it will be a good deal in your favor, and may obtain 
your absolute release from this foolish trouble you 
are in. You must also pay close attention to what 
passes between Mr. Jacobs and the new clerk and try 
to remember it. By the w'ay ! What is the new 
clerk’s name ? ” 

‘‘Quirk, sir. And I heard Mr. Jacobs tell him 
when he came first, that if he didn’t keep sober it 
would be worse for him.” 

“Oh! ho! Got a grip on him — eh? Well, that’s 
all for to-night, Henry. Be sharp now, and get here 
as early to-morrow night as you can.” 

Shortly after the boy had gone, and while Blount 
was musing over his story regarding the queer docu- 
ments, the preparation of which required such special 
paper and peculiar ink — for he shrewdly suspected 
the chemicals were to be used in making the latter — 
Morgan entered looking a trifle exultant. 

“ I have located him at Jast ! ” he said. 

“ Of course ; he will be safe until you get back ? 
You know I don’t want to lose sight of him now 
under any circumstances.” 

“Yes — he’s safe enough. He’s blind drunk at the 
‘Forth Star,’ He has a room there^ and has be^n 


THE DETECTIVE. 


155 


out of the house but once since hiring it. ‘ The 
Knifer’ must be somewhere else, for from the de- 
scription he is the friend and only caller who comes 
occasionally to see daggers.” 

• Blount was not of the “ I told you so ” breed, but 
came near looking it as he said ; 

Yery good, Morgan ! Yery good! Now get back 
as quick as you can and don’t leave him again until I 
come. I think between this boy and Sanders and 
what we can make daggers say, we are getting near 
the end of the Martin matter. Sanders looks tired 
out already, and if I can only keep up the strain he’s 
under he will give up everything in a day or two. 
Meantime you look out for daggers, and I’ll see about 
these queer papers. l]m beginning to think they will 
form an important link in the chain which we will 
soon finish forging.” 

Morgan started back at once, pleased with Blount’s 
commendation and confidence in him ; but found on 
his arrival at the North Star,” — which was a house 
of fair character and had for that reason escaped close 
attention — that there had been a row during his 
absence, and that daggers had been stabbed by a 
drunken sailor. The injured man was being carried 
up-stairs when he arrived, and on his heels came the 
doctor. 


156 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


Morgan, who had been informed that the wound 
was a bad one, now justified Blount’s high opinion of 
him by making a bold stroke. Calling the doctor aside, 
he informed him who he was and that daggers was 
a criminal. 

“You can, if necessary, but it probably will not 
be, introduce me as your assistant; and then, whether 
the wound is really dangerous or not, he must be 
made to believe it is — make him believe he is 
dying ! ” 

The doctor hesitated and looked doubtful, but when 
Morgan said it was “ worth five pounds,” all hesita- 
tion and doubt vanished — of course, Mr. Morgan was 
a representative of the law, and he must do as he 
required. 

daggers was really seriously hurt, and fully appre- 
ciated that fact. He greeted the doctor with a curse 
for delaying so long, and then asked what chances he 
had of recovery. 

“ Don’t be afraid of tellin’ me ! ” he exclaimed, as 
the doctor, after carefully sewing the wound, stood 
looking gravely and thoughtfully at his patient — as 
per instructions. 

Morgan, standing to one side and out of daggers’ 
view, acknowledged to himself that the doctor had 
fairly earned the money, as he saw the more than 


THE DETECTIVE. 


157 


professional gravity deepen into positive gloom before 
the reply came : 

“ You are in a decidedly dangerous condition. 
Wounded as you are in the groin, I cannot under- 
take to say you will live two hours ! ” 

daggers was not wounded in the groin, but of course 
did not know it, and looked terror-stricken on hearing 
the verdict he had so freely invited. His terror was 
increased by the doctor’s suggestion that a clergyman 
was next in order. 

“Ho, no! I want none of the d d canting 

parsons 1 ” he cried ; and then, catching sight of 
Morgan, who had purposely come within range of 
his sight, exclaimed: “Who is that? What does 
he want?” 

Before the doctor could reply, Morgan stepped 
forward and answered for himself. daggers was 
now in the desired condition to continue the bold 
game he was playing. 

“I am a detective, daggers, and I came here for 
you ; but as death claims you first, I suppose I can 
only wait for the end.” 

daggers was very weak from loss of blood, owing 
to the delay in sending for a physician, and the subse- 
quent delay of that gentleman after his arrival at the 


168 


HARRY BLOliNT, 


“North Star’’ in consulting with Morgan, and this 
weakness increased the terrors of his imagination. 

“ Wot fur? ” he asked. 

“ Murder of Golden in Burns Alley,” was the sen- 
tentious reply. 

“It’s a lie ! It’s a lie!” screamed daggers, starting 
np with sudden energy. “ It’s a lie ! He was my 
friend 1 ” 

“Well, well! Never mind. It don’t matterno?/;, 
of course, but if you did not murder him, how did 
you get possession of that draft and the other papers? 
Sanders says he got the draft through you.” 

The doctor was standing in front of daggers, and 
Morgan motioned him to take down what was said. 

Wearied, confused, and believing^ himself dying, 
daggers replied : 

“ I did give Sanders a draft, but the old man never 
had no draft ! That devil, Hall;- had that, but me and 
‘The Knifer’ got the best of him. We got into his 
room one night and got his papers. They wos sewed 
up in a chest-pertecter an’ I kep’ them just for spite 1 
They wos no good to me — only the draft 1 And 
that’s gone too 1 Poor Sanders 1 He’s in for that 1 ” 

“Doctor!” called Morgan, sharply, but with a 
significant look. “ Give this man something to brace 
him up ! I must get this thing in writing ! ” 


O^HE DETECTIVE. 


159 


The doctor hastily prepared something for daggers, 
which was scarcely in his stomach before Morgan 
asked : 

“ What you say may possibly save Sanders’ neck 
from the rope and put it around Hall’s, but you must 
sign a statement of it!” 

Morgan had touched the right key, and knew it 
when he saw the glitter of the dying (?) man’s eyes 
on mentioning Hall. 

“How then, daggers 1 If you want to put the rope 
on the right man you must tell me where the papers 
are. Where are they now ? You’ve got ’em, I sup- 
pose ? ” 

“No— dack (The Knifer) played me a mean trick. 
He’s got all the papers an’ would’nt give ’em to me. 
He wos ’ere yesterd’y an’ I don’t just know where 
he’s gone — but ’e’s got ’em.” 

The doctor finished writing almost as soon as 
daggers stopped speaking, and after making his mark 
to it the latter dropped back on the pillow. 

“ Dead 1 ” exclaimed Morgan. 

“ Oh, no I dust asleep ! ” said the doctor. 

Eeassured on this point, Morgan despatched a 
message to Blount and then proceeded to make him- 
self comfortable for the night. 


160 


HAKRY BLOUNT, 


Next morning at six o’clock Blount appeared, and 
simultaneously daggers awoke. 

A long conversation ensued — Blount kolding Jag- 
gers’s statement of the night before in his hand. 


THE DETECTIVE. 


161 


OHAPTEE XXIV. 

On the morning of the trial for duelling Hall 
entered the court room, looking defiantly at Blount, 
and took his place full of apparent confidence — and 
with reason. Jacobs had learned of Martin’s return 
to England, and had also managed to learn two other 
facts of importance to his client : first, that Martin was 
now in fairly good health ; and second, that he would 
not appear at the trial. 

When the case was called Jacobs answered “ ready ” 
with great promptness and the trial commenced. The 
prosecution had nothing but the same letters pro- 
duced on the commitment, although it had promised 
to have ample evidence at the trial, and Mr. Jacobs 
immediately moved for the discharge of his client. 
It would be ridiculous, had it not been so outrageous, 
he said, to proceed any further. The very man whom 
it was asserted by the prosecution on the commitment 
was at the point of death at the hands of his client, 
was actually in England and out riding and shooting 
daily. Why did not the prosecution produce this 
man or some witness of the alleged duel ? 

11 


162 


HARRY BLOtil^'r, 


The prosecuting officer looked rather blankly at 
Blount, the latter looked wickedly at the prisoner and 
his counsel ; but looks break no bones, and Mr. Jacobs’s 
motion to discharge Hall was duly granted. In the 
court room with Blount was Morgan, and as Hall 
walked out, once more a free man, he had a new 
shadow. 

“ Don’t let him out of your sight,” warned Blount 
“or he’ll fool you as he once did me. We are get- 
ting pretty close to him now — very close, daggers 
and Sanders we have pretty safe on the burglary, but 
it will never do to alarm him until everything is 
ready. I will get to London and see what can be 
done there.” 

Hall’s first act after dining at his hotel with 
Jacobs, was to write Mr. Stafford, advising him that 
he would return to Hanley Hall within a day or two, 
and hoped to find things in readiness for the mar- 
riage. 

After this he had a consultation with Jacobs re- 
garding the papers the latter was having prepared, 
and incidentally learned, to his immense relief, that 
the affair of the stolen draft appeared to have died 
out. 

Hall’s letter caused some trouble at Hanley Hall 
— one result of it being Martin’s departure on the 


THE DETECTIVE. 


163 


day after its receipt — leaving instructions for O’Brien 
(who had been notified that he could return) to keep 
out the way of Hall. 

There was to all appearances nothing more than 
the usual regret at the departure of a friend exhibited 
by Kate when Martin announced his intention oF 
removing his quarters to London, and Mr. Stafford felt 
correspondingly relieved, for he was still suspicious. 
However, something had actually come between Kate 
and Martin, and each acted in a very reserved man- 
ner toward the other. It had begun with Martin 
immediately on their arrival at Hanley Hall, and 
Kate, quick to notice the least change, and too proud 
to ask for a reason, responded in kind — with the result 
that there was now quite a breach existing between 
them. Martin had on his part become aware of the 
change in Kate’s attitude toward him, and when he 
took her hand before starting for the station, he 
thought it odd that she should be the one to mis- 
understand him, but before either could speak Carden 
appeared to drive him and Dr. Fox to the station. 

“ I will be up after you just as soon as I have had 
a look at this fellow and hear what he has to .say,” 
said Carden, as they drove to the station. “ I can then 
judge what is best to be done, and act as circumstan- 
ces may require; otherwise I would of course be with 


164 HARRY BLOUNf^ 

you, but I guess the doctor can take care of you for a 
day or two.’’ 

“ Oh, I will see that he doesn’t run round too 
much,” said the doctor, laughingly. 

Martin and the doctor proceeded to London, and at 
the doctor’.s suggestion secured quarters in the suburbs, 
instead of at the London Bridge Hotel, where the 
former usually put up. Here Blount called, Martin 
having advised him of his residence at Croydon. He 
had not forgiven Martin for refusing assistance in the 
matter of the trial for duelling, and was rather reserved 
at first ; but after detailing the various occurrences in 
which they were both interested, he succumbed to 
the admiration expressed by Martin and thawed out 
a little. 

And there is another thing I had almost forgot- 
ten,” he continued. “ This fellow Jacobs is without a 
doubt forging a will for Hall’s use,” and he then 
related the substance of the arrest of Jacobs’ office 
boy, his subsequent relations with him and the use 
he had made of him. “ I have a copy of the will as it 
is being prepared, although it is not satisfactory yet, 
according to what the boy tells me. Here it is. As 
you see names, places, and amounts are all blank — 
left to be filled in by Mr. Hall when the proper time 
arrives. This proves that he has not recovered the 


THE DETECTIVE. 


165 


papers and that daggers tells the truth about ‘The 
Knifer’ having them. When we secure him we then 
wind up Mr. Hall’s affairs in short order. The locket’ 
the robbery by daggers, and the forgery of the will, 
will be enough to hang him higher than Haman. 

“ Morgan is now in Paris trying to find who 
bought the draft, and if as we suspect it is Hall, then 
it will not he a hard matter to find the diamond 
dealer from whom he obtained the cash. And now, 
Mr. Martin, how much time have we, before it will be 
absolutely necessary to close in on him ? 

I can’t tell yet,” returned Martin, “ I must wait until 
Fred Carden either comes himself or reports.” 

He spoke wearily as though tired of the matter, 
and Blount ascribed it to his late illness. Doctor Fox, 
who had begun to notice the change in Martin since 
leaving Hanley Hall, and suspected the true cause, 
was now willing that, his patient should become even 
excitedly interested in something — anything was bet- 
ter than this dull indifferance — and he sought to 
awaken Martin’s interest in various ways, but with- 
out success. 

The day following Blount’s visit brought O’Brien 
with news that Hall had arrived, and following 
O’Brien came Carden. 

Blount was off again after “ The Knifer,” and 


166 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


O’Brien and Doctor Fox were both out when Carden 
and Martin met. 

“He is back again,” said Carden, “and I’m 
satisfied Kate has no feeling but dislike for him. 
What ever induced her to consent to marry him I 
cannot imagine, and how to prevent it I can’t see ! 
And yet it’s as plain as day that for some reason she’s 
being sacrified in the affair ! ” 

Martin listened attentively to Carden, and when the 
latter began pacing the floor nervously, he said, 
slowly, and as though weighing his words : 

“ Fred, I have something of a confession to make 
regarding your cousin and myself.” 

Carden stopped short in the centre of the floor and 
looked at him. 

“Yes, on the day I gave up the trip to London, 
your cousin, through my weakness, became aware 
that she was more to me than as the affianced of 
another she should be ; but it has gone no further since 
we returned — although I am sure she does not care a 
pin for him, whatever she may for me. I agree with 
you that there is something mysterious about the 
affair; but do not talk any more about it now, 
I am somewhat bothered myself.” 

There was a weary sadness in his voice that touched 
Carden. He said nothing but wrung Martin’s hand. 


/ 


THE DETECTIVE. 


167 


Doctor Fox and O’Brien returned at this juncture, 
to the relief of the two friends, and Carden informed 
them that Hall had insisted that the marriage should 
take place as soon as possible ; and, assuming every- 
thing to be in readiness, had fixed a week from that 
day as the time for the ceremony. Hall had given as 
the reason of his haste that he expected to be com- 
pelled to transact a great deal of business while on 
the long wedding tour he purposed taking — business 
involving vast interests and demanding immediate 
attention. 


168 


HARBY BLOUNT, 


CHAPTER XXV. 

Carden had barely finished his story regarding 
Hall when a telegram came for Blount. It was a 
duplicate of one which had been delivered at the 
police office in Bow Street, as the double address 
proved, and had been sent to both places to prevent 
any possible delay in reaching the person for whom it 
was intended. 

This precaution to ensure promptness showed the 
importance of the contents, and Blount being engaged 
in the hunt for The Knifer,” whom he believed to 
be somewhere on the other side of the city, Martin 
did not hesitate about opening the telegram. It was 
from Morgan and Doctor Fox was more than satisfied 
with the interest exhibited by his patient. 

“ Draft was bought by the party and in the manner ex- 
pected. Will be back with proof in a day or two.” 

Martin read the telegram aloud, and when he had 
finished they all understood the care and necessity for 
haste in its delivery. Hall must once more be placed 
under surveillance and Blount found without delay. 


THE DETECTIVE. 


169 


“ O’Brien, you must get over to the Surrey side and 
find Blount! You, Fred, must go back to Hanley 
Hall and watch things there 1 I’m afraid the case 
will not prove as clear against our man as Morgan 
seems to think. He’s too slippery to be trapped so 
easily 1 ” 

Kichard was himself again, and the doctor marvelled 
at the sudden change in his patient. 

O’Brien started off at once, Carden remained only 
a few minutes longer, and ten minutes after the receipt 
of the telegram Martin and the doctor were alone. 

At the end of two hours O’Brien returned with 
Blount, who shared Martin’s opinion as to the incom- 
pleteness of the case against Hall. 

“ However, Morgan is not given to discovering 
mare’s nests and may have more than we imagine,” 
said Blount. “ And now I must leave you to keep 
track of Hall. I’ve just got through with Sanders. 
He admits getting the draft from daggers, and daggers 
has already admitted stealing it from Hall; so the 
thing is pretty clear, if Morgan has been as successful 
as that telegram would indicate. There’s only the 
papers to recover, and daggers says his friend ‘ The 
Knifer ’ has them, and when Sanders broke down he 
let out that ‘ The Knifer ’ was probably living with a 
woman friend of both in Leith, so I’m off for there.” 


170 HARRY BLOUNT, 

Even as he spoke ^Blount was starting away, but 
stopped to add : 

“Don’t you think it would be better if O’Brien 
were to stay here and you should go back to Hanley 
Hall ? Mr. Hall has no reason to regard you other 
than as a friend after your action regarding the duel.” 

Martin did not like the idea, but consented to go 
back, not to Hanley Hall itself but to the village. So 
far as avoiding Hall was concerned this was useless, 
for when Carden called next morning Martin learned 
that Hall was also a guest at the inn. 

“ He was standing at his window as we came out,” 
continued Carden as they strolled along. “ Of course 
he must have recognized you, although he did not 
appear particularly interested. Hello I This is the 
very man coming after us on the horse. Going to call 
on Kate, I suppose.” 

Hall passed a minute later, with a friendly nod 
which might be intended for either or both. He was 
evidently not interested about Martin or his move- 
ments, and had more than enough to engage his 
thoughts elsewhere. In two days more he would be 
married and on the way to Australia and immense 
wealth. 

Something of this kind occurred to the two pedes- 


THE DETECTIVE. 


171 


trians as they watched the rapidly disappearing eques- 
trian. 

“ Looks pretty happy,” remarked Carden. 

“ Yes, but he is not married yet,” returned the 
other with a grim smile, There’s a great many 
things liable to happen during the next forty-eight 
hours.” 

A great many exciting things did occur in the 
last six hours of the ensuing forty -eight, beginning 
with the arrival of Blount the night before the day 
set for the wedding. 

Martin, Carden and Doctor Fox were together 
when Blount entered. 

“Well, the famous Martin matter is about closed 
and the Hall matter about to open up I” he ex- 
claimed, in a loud tone. “ Here are your papers, 
Mr. Martin. 


172 


HAKRY BLOUNT, 


CHAPTER XXYI. 

The second floor of the inn where Martin and 
Hall lodged had once been used as a ball-room, but 
this either did not pay or suit the present proprie- 
tor who had partitioned it off into three good-sized 
rooms. One of these Martin occupied and Hall the 
others. 

It was about nine o’clock when Blount entered 
Martin’s room. 

Sitting in front of the fire in the next apartment 
was Hall, musing over the past and planning for the 
future — a future that looked exceedingly bright and 
promxising. 

There was no light in the room, except from the 
open fire ; the door was partly open. Suddenly he 
was aroused by Blount’s entrance, and then his at- 
tention was especially attracted by hearing his name 
mentioned. 

The inn-keeper had done his own joiner- work and 
the partitions were all but transparent, and Hall 
stepping softly to the partition, heard Blount very 
plainly continue : 


THE DETECTIVE. 


173 


‘‘They are all there I think — just as Golden had 
them the night he was murdered by our cunning 
friend Hall.’’ 

The eavesdropper started back in alarm, but could 
not resist the temptation to listen to the story. 

“ I found * The Knifer ’ easy enough in Lieth, and 
got the papers on him,” Blount was saying. “He 
admitted the robbery of the papers and draft in 
Harley Street, and Morgan got back to-night with 
the diamond broker who bought the diamonds. He 
had a tough job, but finally persuaded him to come, 
and he’s down-stairs with Morgan now.” 

Again Hall started back in alarm. They were 
very close on him, and he paused irresolutely. The 
story coming through the partition was rapidly 
depriving him of his nerve, and happening to look 
through the window, he saw a man on the opposite 
side of the road looking up. He was being waited 
for ; they did not know he was in. How long would 
they wait before coming to his room ? 

Back to the partition once more he crept, and lis- 
tened to Blount’s confirmation of this idea. 

“We will wait for a little while before going to his 
room. They were not sure down-stairs whether he 
had returned, and I didn’t want to alarm him until I 
had seen you. However, there’s no chance for him 


174 


HARKY BLOUNT, 


to get away. Morgan’s down-stairs, O’Brien is in 
front, and another man at the rear.” 

Hemmed in completely — every avenue closed. 
It was clear that the chain of evidence must be com- 
plete — they were so confident, too, of getting him. 

He went to a cupboard, took out a bottle ot 
brandy, and poured out a moderate drink. After 
drinking the liquor. Hall began to pace the floor, 
which, unlike the partitions, was solid, and his quick 
nervous step made no sound. 

“ 'jjjrapped! Cornered like a rat ! Well, cornered 
rats are dangerous, gentlemen ! Look out ! you 
haven’t killed it yet ! ” 

Pausing, a little back from the window, he looked 
out and saw the man in the same position. Then he 
resumed his walk, more like a caged tiger than a hu- 
man being. 

“One down-stairs, one in front, one in the rear and 
this one up-stairs 1 Four man-hunters ! Let me see ! 

Stopping, he opened his trunk and took out a pair 
of pistols, which he laid on the table. 

“Four! If it was in the open — But pshaw! 
What difference would one or two make! I’m 
trapped ! The game is over and I’ve lost ! Lost ! ” 
he repeated hoarsely. “ Lost ! Lost everything — 
a fortune, a good name and a beautiful wife ! An 


THE DETECTIVE. 


175 


hour ago it was castles ! Now it’s gibbets ! Kate I 
K^te ! But for her I would not mind it so much ! ” 

His face changed for - a moment and became soft- 
ened, but quickly resumed its former demonical 
expression as he resumed his walk. 

“ You’ve trapped me — Yes 1 But the rope never was 
made to hang me I I’m prepared for that at any 
rate! Never! No trial! No rope! No morbid 
fool’s curiosity ! ” 

Stopping again, he poured out more liquor. 

“ The next one will be time enough, ^he mur- 
mured as he put it to his lips. Setting down the 
empty glass, he lighted his lamp, closed his door se- 
curely and then, after a short search, produced a 
small package of the same white powder which had 
ended the career of Golden. Placing a pinch of this 
in the glass Hall filled it to the top with liquor, 
placed his lamp near the window, lighted a cigar and 
sat down to wait for his visitors. 

He had not long to wait — only ten minutes — but 
his thoughts must have covered a great deal before 
the expected knock came. 

“ Too late ! ” he said, with the glass to his lips. 
“ You will have to break it in.” 

Then laying back in his chair he emptied the 
glass. He hardly moved, his head sank a little to 


176 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


one side, the glass fell from his hand, and so they 
found him. 

Blount had suspected something was wrong on 
finding the door fastened, and did not waste a moment 
in breaking it down, but as the dead man had truly 
said — he was too late. 

Doctor Fox was called, but said he could do noth- 
ing — the man was dead from prussic acid. 

Notwithstanding their knowledge of the man and 
his crimes, all were shocked at the sudden termina- 
tion of their pursuit, and none thought of retiring. 
Although nearly eleven o’clock, Carden returned to 
Hanley Hall, Martin accompanying him. 

Owing to the preparations for the marriage, hasty 
as they were, everything was astir at the Hall, and 
Carden gravely told the story of the suicide. 

As may be imagined, the story created great sur- 
prise and horror, and of the entire party Kate was 
apparently the least moved. She sat very quiet, and 
said but little ; never addressing Martin, who also 
remained very quiet, and was beginning to believe 
himself mistaken regarding Kate’s feelings toward 
the dead man. 

However, he had a duty still to perform, and when 
Carden had finished he took from his pocket the 
stolen papers, and addressed Kate : 


THE DETECTIVE. 


177 


“ These, Miss Stafford,” he said, “ are your property 
and Fred’s — yours more than his. They are j^our 
uncle’s will, and the other papers I spoke of, repre- 
senting property to tffe value of — well, certainly over 
one hundred thousand pounds, besides a draft of 
twelve thousand pounds which you can obtain within 
a few days. All this is divided between yourself and 
Fred, with something in your favor.” 

Surprise was again general, except on Kate’s part, 
and more than one regarded her curiously. 

‘‘ Why, Kate,” exclaimed Miss Fleming, “ you 
appear to have become accustomed to these Croesus 
surprises ! ” 

Mr. Stafford, agreeably astonished by this sudden 
access of wealth, also remarked that she took the 
matter very coolly; but Kate did not respond to either 
remark, except to say she was tired out and must 
leave them. 

Martin, Carden and Mr. Stafford left early next 
morning to attend the inquest, which was quickly 
and quietly disposed of, and then returned to Hanley 
Hall in time for luncheon, where Miss Fleming and 
Mr. Stafford took the principal parts in carrying on 
the conversation. 

Martin and Kate, seated side by side, exchanged 
but few words, and those of only the commonest 
12 


Its 


ItARRY BLOUNI*, 


civility and in a cold, repellant manner on the part of 
Kate. 

That this had been noticed by more than one, was 
apparent when, after luncheon, Carden joined Martin 
in the library, and the latter said, with an almost 
plainly forced calmness : 

'‘Fred, now that those papers have been recovered, 
I can’t see that there’s any use in my lingering here. 
You know all I’ve got, except a few hundred pounds 
in London, is either banked or invested in New York, 
and I’ve just read this article (extending the paper) 
which seems to indicate that something of a panic 
exists there now, with possibly worse to follow. So 
I’ll take a run up to London, I think, and if this 
report is confirmed, go back to New York. I’ll stop 
and let you know on my way to Liverpool if it’s 
true.” 

Garden barely glanced at the article, and handed 
back the paper with a dismal smile. 

“ Yes,” he said, “ I understand. It’s a good excuse, 
but I’m hanged if I can understand it! It’s not like 
Kate — especially after what you’ve told me of the 
afiair at Naas — and yet to-day she acted worse than a 
total stranger. Her mother, Jennie and myself 
noticed it.” 

“ Never mind, Fred ! I’m off now to London. You 


THE DETECTIVE. 


179 


can account for my absence as best you can; but, at 
the risk of being set down for a boar, I will avoid 
another meeting until coming back on my way to 
Liverpool.” 

‘‘ Ah ! You are going in any event! ” 

“ Yes — ^it is better — much better, Fred I ” 

And so it was arranged. Martin was to leave at 
once, agreeing to return next day to Hanley Hall, 
whence Garden would accompany him to Liverpool. 

Martin went to pack up some papers and a few 
articles of wearing apparel, while Carden went to in- 
form the Staffords of Martin’s intentions and the 
reason of his hasty departure. He found Miss Flem- 
ing alone in the drawing-room at the piano, and to her, 
in telling of Martin’s intentions, said more than he 
would have to any of the family. 

“ Oh, yes 1 ” she said. “ It’s quite plain — but don’t 
you think, Fred, you ought to go with him to Lon- 
don ? He might not come back at all, you know ! ” 

“ You are right, Jennie 1 I’ll go with him.” And 
when Martin came down a few minutes later, he found 
Carden prepared to accompany him and gladly 
acquiesced in the arrangement. 

It was not until evening that Mr. and Mrs. Staf- 
ford learned of the departure of the young men, and 
the supposed cause, and they expressed great concern 


180 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


at the possibility of any misfortune happening to 
Martin ; but to Kate it was then an old story, for Miss 
Fleming had been drumming it into her ears all the 
afternoon, never failing to broadly hint at what she 
unhesitatingly pronounced to be the real cause — 
“ Kate’s cruelty to Mr. Martin.” 

Kate endured it patiently and in silence — which 
caused Miss Fleming to say she was disgusted with 
such obstinacy, and then leave her in peace. 


THE DETECTIVE. 


181 


CHAPTEE XXVIL 

When Martin and Carden readied the office of the 
London representatives of the New York house, in or 
by which the former’s entire fortune was invested, 
they found quite a gathering about the doors, and in- 
side an excited crowd of investors clamoring for 
information. 

Martin was well known to the clerks as being 
heavily interested, and his coolness commanded suf- 
ficient admiration to procure him an interview with 
a member of the firm. 

‘‘ Better go to the hotel and wait for me, Fred,” he 
said, as he passed into the private office. 

When he emerged at the end of ten or fifteen 
minutes, his unmoved appearance, and the quiet smile 
with which he greeted the clerks with whom he was 
acquainted, did much to re-assure those who had 
watched his entrance. Carden, too, was deceived on 
meeting him. 

“It’s all right, I suppose? ” he said. 

“No, not exactly, but I suppose there will be 
enough recovered out of the wreck to pay my debts. 


182 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


You know I have been speculating a little on my own 
account, and I don’t know how I stand.” 

Martin spoke slowly and thoughtfully, as though 
considering his position, and Carden looked at him in 
amazement so great, that before he could speak, 
Martin was continuing : “ Of course, Fred, I shall 

have to leave at once, by the next steamer.” 

Dick, it can’t be possible that you have lost 
everything ! ” exclaimed Carden, excitedly. 

“Looks like it. They tell me it’s the worst smash 
in twenty years.” 

Carden looked disheartened, much more so than his 
friend, and asked when the next steamer sailed. 

“ The day after to-morrow, the next fast one, so we 
will have a day to ourselves before we part, Fred.” 

Martin spoke cheerily, which caused his friend to 
brighten a little and ask if it would not be well to 
start back at once to Hanley Hall. 

“ No, Fred, not to-night. Perhaps I may be able 
to get there to-morrow if I can arrange to leave 
then.” 

The two friends separated shortly afterwards — 
Carden returning to Hanley Hall, where his arrival, 
and subsequent narration of Martin’s trouble caused 
great sympathy. 


THE DETECTIVE. 


183 


“ Surprises are becoming the usual thing here. I 
wonder what will come next ! ” 

Mr. Stafford said this during a break in the con- 
versation, but an answer came sooner than he 
expected, and from an unexpected quarter. 

“Papa, don’t you think that, under the circum- 
stances, Fred and I should do something to help Mr. 
Martin out of this trouble ? He has spent large 
sums of money, I’m sure, in recovering those papers, 
and doubtless in other matters.” 

It was Kate who spoke, and all looked at her in 
surprise. Hot a blushing, embarrassed girl, but a calm 
collected woman met their gaze. 

“ Of course, I know nothing about these matters,” 
continued she, “ but it would seem that an immediate 
advance of a large sum would be likely to be of assist- 
ance.” 

“ I am afraid Dick would not care to accept 
assistance from friends,” said Carden, slowly. “ If he 
would, I should have proffered everything I possessed, 
while in London, but I know he would accept noth- 
ing — at least from me.” 

There was a marked emphasis in the last words, and 
significance in the look accompanying them, but the 
effect was not visible. Kate simply bowed . in 
acquiescence, and said it was a pity they could not 


184 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


find a way to aid him, and that ended the matter for 
the night — that is, in the drawing-room. 

Later, up-stairs, Miss Fleming entered Kate’s room 
on some pretext, and after a few minutes’ conversa- 
tion arose to leave, but before going relieved herself 
of the object of her visit as follows: 

“ Kate Stafford ! If any one should have told me 
that you were the cold-blooded thing you are, I 
would have done something wicked to them ! ” 

Miss Fleming was a brave little woman, but she 
was badly frightened, for a moment, after she had 
finished speaking. 

Maids were plentiful enough at Hanley Hall, but 
the two girls usually dispensed with them when visit- 
ing each other. 

Kate had just loosened her long black hair prepar- 
atory to brushing when her friend finished, and as 
she swung around from the glass it fell in masses 
about her. She looked like an angry Juno as she 
towered over little Miss Fleming. 

“ Jennie,” she cried, fiercely, “ don’t you dare tor- 
ture me about that man any more ! ” 

Startled, frightened, Jennie cowered under the out- 
burst, but the next instant was playing the comforter 
and telling Kate she ‘‘ didn’t mean a word of it ! ” 


THE DETECTIVE. 


185 


for the latter suddenly sank into a chair, and began 
to cry and sob as though her heart would break. 

And through, all the tears and all the comforting 
Jennie only obtained a slight clue to the cause. It 
was when Kate said, with her head resting on the 
other’s breast : 

“ Jennie ! Jennie ! I can’t give him another chance 
to throw back my love, and I can’t meet him kindly 
unless I do I ’’ 

He :)< 

Next morning’s mail brought a letter from Martin, 
written after Carden’s departure, and addressed to the 
latter, and after perusing it himself he read it to the 
others after breakfast. It ran as follows : 

My dear Fred : I have changed my mind about going 
to New York and have cabled people thereto see what can 
be got out of the wreck. I am a young man yet, Africa is 
looming up as a place to make something quickly, and there 
is a ship sailing for the Cape to-morrow night, or early 
next morning. I met tlie captain after you left, and have 
made arrangements for my passage. I will, of course, have 
to get a good many things, and this will take all the time 
I have to spare, so I cannot go to Hanley Hall as agreed. 
You must, therefore, say good-bye for me. It will, also, 
take nearly all I possess at present. I must, also, there- 
fore, ask you to do something for me, and I believe you 
will get it back soon from the ‘‘wreck.” Make Julia a wed^ 


186 


HARRY BLOUNT, 


ding present of five hundred pounds for her goodness to me. 
I know you will do it gladly enough, and the bank people 
surely ought to pay £500 on £200,000 ’’ 

Julia, who since her arrival at Hanley Hall, had 
been made one of the family, and was sitting facing 
the reader, here entered a vehement protest : 

“Ho, no, Mr. Garden, never! To think of him, 
with all his trouble, thinking of me 1 

“ That’s worth five hundred more — ^just to hear it 1 ” 
exclaimed Carden ; “ and now let me get on, for we 
have no time to spare.” 

“ I am sorry, Fred, I cannot be at your wedding,” he 
continued ; “ but you know, that even if circumstances per- 
mitted, it would not be pleasant for your cousin. I can’t 
understand it — you know what I mean — but as it is with me 
now, it is fortunate it is so. Not that I would be afraid 
with her with me, but it is fortunate for her at any rate. 

‘‘You can read part of this, if you like, — just enough to 
account for my failure to appear, and come and see me 
before we get away. 

“ Say good-bye to every one for me, for I am neither 
good as a writer or talker, and I should not like either 
your aunt or uncle. Miss Fleming, Julia, or O’Brien, or 
the doctor too — or anyone else, to think I parted without 
regret at not seeing them — yet, Fred, I don’t believe I 
could stand it if I did. 

“ It’s a long letter, my boy, but it may be the last — 
it’s certainly the longest I’ve ever written,” 


THE DETECTIVE. 187 

Carden folded up the letter and placed it in his 
pocket. His eyes were not exactly dry — nor were 
any others at the table — little Miss Fleming and Julia 
were actually sobbing ; Mr. Stafford, Doctor Fox and 
O’Brien were vainly endeavoring to look through the 
open window ; and Kate sat dry-eyed, aye, and dry- 
lipped too, gazing intently before her, and Carden 
became angry. 

‘‘ I’ve violated Dick’s confidence,” he said, in hard 
tones and looking straight at his cousin, — “ only to 
show you the kind of a man we are losing — for he’s 
going to certain death, I firmly believe!” 

Carden stopped and sprang up quickly, but not 
quick enough to prevent Kate from falling heavily to 
the floor. 

* * * * * * 

All was bustle and confusion aboard The Albatross. 
It lacked only an hour of sailing-time, and still 
all the cargo was not aboard. The captain was 
swearing at the stevedores, and they in turn at the 
men, but it was all in vain, and the part of the cargo 
still to be stowed was so valuable that the captain 
hated to leave it. 

Whilst the captain was hesitating, a hansom came 
tearing down to the pier. 


188 


HAKRY BLOUNT, 


Leaning over tlie tafirail of The Albatross was Martin, 
arid, even before tbe cab door was thrown open, he 
murmured “ Fred ! ” 

“ I was afraid something serious had happened, and 
you could not come! ” he said, returning the warm 
'grasp of his friend. 

“ Something serious has happened ! ” replied Car- 
den, “ and you must come back with me at once ! 
It’s just a matter of life or death with Kate, and Fox 
says it depends on you! Come Dick ! Why, what’s the 
matter with you ? Come on [ Hang the outfit ! Let’s 
get away !” and he dragged Martin ashore. 

It was a week after the sailing date of The Alba- 
tross when Doctor Fox came into the dining-room 
just as dinner was being served, to say : 

“ Somebody might go up-stairs now and allow 
Julia to come down, for I shall need her again by-and- 
by,” looking straight at Martin, who instantly arose 
and left the room. 

It had been an anxious week at Hanley Hall, and 
at times Doctor Fox despaired of saving the life of 
the patient. 

“She will get along all right now,” continued the 
doctor after Martin left the room. “ The fever has 
gone, and time and care will, I believe, do the rest.” 

There was general rejoicing over this glad intelli- 


THE DETECTIVE. 


189 


gence, but tbe doctor forbade any undue excitement — 
“ for a day or two.” 

Meantime Martin had reached Kate’s room, and 
was admitted by Julia. Kate turned her head on 
hearing him enter, and smiled as he approached and 
took her hand. 

“You came back on my account,” she said. 

“Yes,” he answered, “but ” 

“ And you will not go away to that place ? ” she 
interrupted. 

He wanted to tell her that' he was now a poor man 
and could not afford to act as he wished, but he had 
been warned of the result of argument. She was 
very weak, and spoke scarcely above a whisper, but 
in her weakness lay her strength, and he hesitated 
and she understood him. Her hand still lay in his, 
and with a gentle pressure she drew him nearer to 
catch her whisper ; 

“We have enough for both. You must not go 
away ! Will you ? ” and he meekly answered that 
he would not. 

“Then you may kiss me,” she whispered, and 
Julia came down-stairs looking so radiantly happy 
that all felt the necessity of asking her the reason. 

* * :1c * ^ 

Martin’s affairs were not in such bad condition as 


190 


HAilRY BLOUNT, 


lie had been led to believe, for when the day set for 
his wedding and that of Carden’s and O’Brien’s, 
arrived, he was again quite wealthy. His own pri- 
vate speculations had far surpassed his highest hopes, 
and aside from this the financial crash was not so 
great as at first reported. 

Hanley Hall, with its seven miles of enclosing 
walls, is no longer the property of the Staflbrds, hav- 
ing passed into the hands of the British Government^ 
and is now devoted to the amusement and instruc- 
tion of the people ; but the Martins, and the Cardens, 
and their descendants, are still in the vicinity. 


THE END. 


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Diary of a Village Gossip. By Almedia M. Brown. 25 cents. 
Diary of a Minister’s Wife. Part 1. By Almedia M. Brown. 
Price, 25 cents. 

Diary of a Minister’s Wife. Part 2. By Almedia M. Brown. 
Price, 25 cents. 

A Bad Boy’s Diary. Price, 25 cents. 

Blunders of a Bashful Man. By author of “ A Bad Boy’s 
Diary.” Price, 25 cents. 

Twenty Five Good Sermons. By Twenty five Prominent 
Clergymen. Price, 25 cents. 

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Colgate & Co’s Cashmere Bouquet, Toilet Soap and Perfumes are 
the most perfedt of all toilet articles. The materials of which the soap 
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Colgate & Co. 



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